By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A family met tragedy after two members died while two others remain missing after they were swept by a flash flood at Alingasaw-Kabayabasan overflow bridge or pathway in Barangay Montilla, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
The fatalities were identified as Danilo Banaag, 17, and his uncle Roldan Banaag Sr., 50.
Reynald Horegue, head of the Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said the bodies of Danilo and Roldan were retrieved Wednesday morning.
Horegue said the teenager was found at Barangay Guinpanaan around 8:45 a.m. while his uncle was found at Barangay Bungahin, Isabela town three hours later.
The two fatalities were among the 11 individuals who traveled from Hinigaran town to attend the birthday party of a relative at Barangay Magallon Cadre in Moises Padilla town earlier that day. Before going home, they decided to visit another relative at Barangay Montilla later that day.
Horegue said that six of them decided to walk on the hanging bridge while five others separately rode two tricycles and crossed the overflow bridge when they were hit by the flash flood.
Roldan Banaag Jr., 21 survived as he was able to hold on to something and swam to the other side of the river.
Horegue said there was no rain at that time, but the water from the upland portion, where it probably rained, may have caused the flash flood.
As of press time, Jovelyn Banaag, 48, and their neighbor Edmund Samson, 17 are still missing, he said.
The two tricycles were destroyed and are still in the area, Horegue added.
