Man on river fishing reported missing in Lanao del Norte flash flood

LINAMON, Lanao del Norte—A man who went river fishing in an interior village of Lanao del Norte province was reported missing after a flash flood on Saturday morning.

Mayor Randy J. Macapil of Linamon town, Lanao del Norte told the Inquirer that a certain Rogelio Pantilgan, 35, was swept by flood waters when he crossed the river where he and his younger brother went fishing in Purakan village.

He was reported missing at around 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Pantilgan was a contractual worker of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Mike Razo, chief of the town’s disaster response and rescue office, said volunteers and professional rescuers, including Coast Guard personnel, have been dispatched to search for Pantilgan.

As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, rescuers have yet to find him.

Razo said that based on the account of a village resident, the river’s water was rising and its current strong due to heavy rains in the hinterland brought about by tropical storm Rolly.

The river emanates from nearby Matungao town, passing through Linamon town as it snakes down into the Iligan Bay.

CFC