One person was rescued while two others remain missing in separate drowning incidents in Mabinay and Pamplona towns in Negros Oriental at the height of Tropical Storm “Kristine’s” onslaught.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), said yesterday the incidents took place on Wednesday afternoon, October 23, at the Tabuay River in Sitio Nalimbagan, Barangay Lumbangan, Mabinay and at Sitio Hakuton, Barangay Mamburao in Pamplona.

In Mabinay, a farmer from Sitio Tilingan in Barangay Lumbangan and two companions were crossing the river when they were carried downstream by a strong water current.

His two companions managed to save themselves. The farmer remains missing as of posting time.

Meanwhile, Polinar said that in Pamplona, two young males were reported to have drowned while catching fish along a river bank when heavy rainfall in the afternoon triggered a flashflood that carried them downstream.

Residents of neighboring “sitios” found one of the drowning victims lying unconscious by the river bank while his companion was still missing.

The local disaster risk reduction and management office, the police, and barangay officials of Mabinay and Pamplona are currently undertaking search and rescue/retrieval operations for the missing persons. (PNA)