CITY OF CALAPAN – A 19-year-old man went missing after going for a swim in a river in Naujan town, Oriental Mindoro province early on Wednesday (Feb. 10), the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) said.
A search and rescue operation has been launched for Mel Francis Roldan, who went missing as he crossed the river at the village of Motoderazo with several companions.
One of his companions told authorities they saw the strong current suddenly sweep Roldan away at around 11:30 a.m.
Jeory Geroleo, MDRRMO officer, said his office had informed villages downstream to be on the lookout for Roldan.
In a social media post, the MDRRMO appealed to the public not to swim in the river when the water level is high and the current is strong.
The search and rescue operation had to be stopped because of the dangerous current. It would resume on Thursday (Feb. 11).