GENERAL SANTOS CITY, South Cotabato — The search for the last missing beachgoer following the recent earthquake came to a heartbreaking conclusion on Thursday, June 11, after personnel of the Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao (CGDSM) recovered the body of a 10-year-old boy off the coast of Barangay Bawing, General Santos City.
The recovery marked the official termination of the search and rescue (SAR) operations launched in the aftermath of the tragedy that struck beachgoers at Watergran Beach Resort during the recent powerful earthquake that affected several parts of Mindanao.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the breakthrough came at approximately 9:27 a.m. when Coast Guard personnel received information from a local fisherman who reported spotting a body floating in the waters about four nautical miles from the Seaoil Depot in Barangay Bawing.
Acting swiftly on the report, the CGDSM SAR Team immediately deployed aboard Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) 101-435 and Rubber Boats 023 and 030 to verify the sighting and conduct retrieval operations.
At around 9:35 a.m., the responding team reached the reported location and confirmed the presence of a male child’s body floating amid debris in the open sea. Coast Guard personnel carefully recovered the remains and transported them back to the shoreline of Watergran Beach Resort.
The discovery brought both sorrow and closure to the victim’s family, who had been anxiously waiting for news since the child was reported missing following the earthquake-related incident.
Upon arriving at the resort at approximately 9:43 a.m., Coast Guard responders informed the family about the recovery and requested them to proceed to the area for formal identification.
Hours later, at around 11:38 a.m., the family arrived and positively identified the recovered remains as their 10-year-old relative, the last remaining individual unaccounted for among the beachgoers affected by the disaster.
Following the identification process, the victim’s remains were formally turned over to the family. A Municipality of Buluan ambulance subsequently transported the body for proper disposition and funeral arrangements.
The recovery officially concluded the extensive search and rescue efforts undertaken by the Coast Guard and other responding agencies in the days following the earthquake. The operation involved continuous maritime searches, coordination with local authorities, and support from community members and fishermen who assisted in monitoring the coastal waters.
The tragedy underscores the devastating human toll of the recent earthquake that struck Mindanao, leaving communities grappling not only with damaged infrastructure but also with the loss of lives and loved ones.
In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard expressed its deepest sympathies to the grieving family and reaffirmed its commitment to assisting communities affected by disasters and emergencies.
“The Philippine Coast Guard extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting communities affected by the earthquake,” the agency said.
As the search operation comes to an end, local authorities continue to monitor coastal areas and provide assistance to affected families, while the community mourns the loss of a young life whose recovery has brought closure, though accompanied by profound grief, to those left behind.
The successful recovery also highlighted the vital role played by local fishermen, first responders, and Coast Guard personnel whose coordinated efforts ensured that every missing individual was accounted for despite the challenging conditions at sea.