MANILA, Philippines — The search is still on for a 7-year-old boy, who was swept away by strong river current in Rizal over the weekend.
In separate Facebook posts, the family of Frederick “Rich” Bautista asked the public for help in their effort to find the boy.
According to a Helbert Emata, Rich’s brother, the 7-year-old was last seen wearing a “Naruto” yellow-printed shirt and floral shorts.
“Sa mga malapit sa ilog ng Banaba, Nangka, Tumana, Bayan-Marikina, baka ho makita niyo si Rich. Pasabi nalang po samin. Inalon po siya kagabi, June 29 sa ilalim ng Batasan-San Mateo Bridge,” Emata wrote on Facebook.
Emata further told INQUIRER.net through a messaging app on Monday that Rich was playing with his 5-year-old friend when the incident happened.
“Naglalaro sila ng kaibigan niya. We thought na nasa bahay lang sila ng kaibigan niya. Pero 6:45 p.m., may pumunta na lang sa bahay namin, telling us na naanod daw si Rich. People tried to catch him, may nag-dive, pero ‘di na siya nahabol,” he said.
“May guard sa area (sa ilog) pero hindi sila nakita. ‘Yung kalaro niya, safe,” he added.
He mentioned that Rich was adopted by Laila Bautista, a family friend of the Ematas.
Emata’s mother, Luzviminda, then took Rich under her care nearly four years ago.
“Si Mama (Luzviminda) na rin ang kinilala niyang (Rich) Mama… Laila is also looking for him. Tulong-tulong kaming lahat. Even sa side ng biological mother niya,” Emata said.
“We’re not sure kung ano na nangyari sa kanya. But we hope sana… [m]ay nakakuha sa kanya from the streams of the water,” he added.
He said those who may have seen Rich or have information on where the boy might be may call this number: (0917) 8622378.
Meanwhile, a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer said the San Mateo Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Barangay Banaba’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (BDRRMO) continue to conduct a search and retrieval operation for Rich.
Based on Bobet Jacinto’s Facebook post late Sunday, reports reaching the office of the BDRRMO showed that the incident happened around 6 p.m.
“Nakadapa diumano si Rich sa lupa na ang ibabang bahagi ng katawan ay nasa tubig at marahil sa lakas ng rumaragasang tubig ay inanod,” he wrote on Facebook.
The BDRRMO officer said that four people tried to rescue Rich but to no avail.
“Pero hindi nila inabot dahil sa lakas ng agos ng tubig,” Jacinto’s post read.
“Anumang impormasyon ay maaaring itawag sa tanggapan ng Barangay Banaba BDRRMO: 941-9764,” he added. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)