Boy, woman drown in Rizal, Marikina flood

A seven-year-old boy drowned while his two-year-old brother was rescued from the flood that swept through their neighborhood in San Mateo, Rizal, on Tuesday night.

In Marikina City, residents found the body of a woman also believed to be a drowning victim.

A boy identified as Cedric Ortega was found dead around 9:17 p.m. at Paraiso Memorial Garden, Barangay Gitnang Bayan, according to SPO1 Wilmer Privado of the San Mateo police.

Joy Ilagan, officer in charge of San Mateo Command Center, said Ortega and his younger brother Nicolo were carried away by the flood’s strong current from their house on St. Luke Street, Barangay Gulod Malaya, as the town experienced a heavy downpour.

Rescuers from the local government found Nicolo alive in a drainage hole where he got stuck, Ilagan said. The child was brought to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center.

Around 6:10 a.m. Wednesday, woman who remained unidentified at press time was found dead at Champaca 2, Creekside, Barangay Fortune, in Marikina.

When discovered by a resident who lives nearby, the apparent drowning victim was wearing a white blouse, brown shorts and black sandals, according to Senior Supt. Lorenzo Holanday.