By CESAR JOLITO III

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered one of two individuals reported missing in a drowning incident in Negros Occidental’s Sagay City, while search and retrieval operations continue for the other.

The Philippine Coast Guard District – Southern Visayas (CGDSV) confirmed that search and rescue operations were initiated on Friday, January 9, following reports of a drowning incident in Barangay Malubon.

The operation is being conducted under the leadership of Commodore Christopher Auro, commander of CGDSV, with Commander Artzell Anacan serving as acting station commander of PCG – Northern Negros Occidental.

Community volunteers from Bantay Suba discovered yesterday morning a lifeless body along the riverbank in Purok Jordan, Barangay Fabrica — approximately seven kilometers downstream from the reported site of the incident.

Authorities immediately dispatched Coast Guard and Sagay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) personnel to secure the area and recover the remains.

Family members later confirmed the identity of the deceased as one of the two individuals who went missing.

The SAR mission is being carried out jointly by Coast Guard Sub-Station Sagay, the Coast Guard Special Operations Unit – Northern Negros Occidental, the Sagay CDRRMO, and local volunteers.

As of press time, efforts remain underway to locate the second missing person, with authorities expanding search coverage across nearby waterways and riverbanks.

The PCG said additional assets and personnel have been deployed as operations continue, assuring the public that all possible measures are being taken to locate the remaining victim./CJ, WDJ