After seven long days of searching, the lifeless body of Kyla, a Grade 6 student of J. Markez Elementary School in Cotabato City, was finally found in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. The young girl went missing on September 25, 2025, after she and three classmates went for a swim at Matampay Bridge 2 following their afternoon class.
What began as innocent fun among friends turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when the sudden rise of the river’s current swept Kyla away. Despite the efforts of rescuers and volunteers, only her three companions survived.
The Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), together with the Sultan Naga Dimaporo Emergency Response Team, worked tirelessly until Kyla’s remains were found and safely brought home to her grieving family. Her loved ones laid her to rest according to Islamic tradition, surrounded by relatives and friends mourning the loss of a bright young life.
The Bangsamoro Government’s Project TABANG and Brigada News Cotabato also extended assistance to the families of the four students, offering both material support and heartfelt sympathy.
This tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers lurking in open and unpredictable waters, especially for children. While rivers and bridges may seem inviting on a hot afternoon, they can quickly turn deadly due to sudden changes in water flow, slippery rocks, or hidden depths.
Authorities urge parents and guardians to keep a close watch over their children and to remind them never to swim unsupervised in rivers, creeks, or flood-prone areas. Schools and communities are likewise encouraged to strengthen water safety awareness among students to prevent similar accidents.
As the city mourns the loss of Kyla, may her story awaken in all of us a deeper sense of vigilance and care for our children’s safety—so that no family may again have to endure such unbearable sorrow.