3 children missing after falling into Tullahan river

Search and rescue operations continued on Monday for three children who fell into the Tullahan River in Valenzuela on Sunday afternoon.

Rescue officers said four were catching fish along the river when they fell into the water.  A report from dzMM identified the children as Rheniel Tejadilla, 13; Kerby Tejadilla, 10; Ian Salud, 10; and Joshua Nel Casing, 11.

Reports said it was Rheniel who fell in first and his friends tried to help him.  However, all of them were pulled in by the strong current.

Casing managed to hold on to a tree and was later pulled out of the river by construction workers nearby.

Search and rescue operations were launched Sunday afternoon and continued Monday morning.

Responders expressed difficulty in looking for the boys as night fell and because of the strong current.

Annaliza Tejadilla, mother of Rheniel and Kherby, told dzMM that they were still hoping to see the children alive.

“Umaasa pa rin ako na sana makita sila, na sana nandiyan lang sila sa gilid, sana buhay pa sila na makita,” she said. /cbb