COTABATO CITY — The body of an 11-year-old boy who drowned while fishing was recovered Thursday morning, April 9, following an extensive overnight search and retrieval operation in a river in Barangay Poblacion 3.
The victim, identified as Ejay Peñas, a resident of 6th Street, Don E. Sero Street, Rosary Heights 5, was found at around 10:02 a.m. in the Matampay River along HK Doton Street, not far from where he reportedly fell into the water the previous day.
According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Ejay had been fishing along Purok Islam Avenue Road shortly before 5:00 p.m. on April 8 when he accidentally slipped and fell into a deep portion of the river. The strong current quickly swept him away.
CDRRMO head Rashnan Nazer Lim said search and retrieval operations were immediately launched after the incident was reported. However, despite two hours of initial efforts on Wednesday, rescuers were unable to locate the child before nightfall.
Operations resumed early Thursday morning, with personnel from the CDRRMO, barangay local government unit, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (BARMM READi) working together to locate the missing boy.
After several hours of coordinated search efforts, Ejay’s lifeless body was finally recovered near the site of the incident.
Authorities said the child’s death was accidental, emphasizing the dangers of strong river currents, especially during late afternoon hours when visibility decreases and water conditions may become more unpredictable.
The remains of the victim will be brought to his family home, where he will be laid to rest.
Local officials extended their condolences to the bereaved family and urged parents and guardians to closely monitor children near bodies of water to prevent similar tragedies.