DAVAO CITY – A massive search and rescue (SAR) operation is underway after a 12-year-old boy was swept away by the strong current of the Davao River on Saturday afternoon, July 18, following an incident in Barangay 76-A, Bucana, Davao City.
The Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), through the Coast Guard Station Davao and Coast Guard Sub-Station Poblacion, immediately launched rescue operations after receiving reports that the child had gone missing in the river.
According to the initial investigation, the victim was playing with several companions along the dike when he was allegedly pushed by one of his playmates, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the swollen Davao River. The boy reportedly failed to resurface after being carried away by the strong current.
Coast Guard personnel, together with responders from Central 911 Davao and the Philippine National Police (PNP), rushed to the area and began an extensive search for the missing child.
The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) later confirmed that a child had drowned in the Davao River near Bankerohan Bridge, prompting additional rescue assets to be deployed.
In an interview, CDRRMO officials said they immediately responded after receiving the emergency report shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
However, rescue operations had to be temporarily suspended later in the evening due to the strong river current, poor visibility, and darkness, conditions that posed significant risks to rescuers.
Authorities said they have yet to release the identity of the child, as the family has not yet agreed to grant interviews while the search continues.
Despite the suspension of nighttime operations, personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Davao, the Philippine Coast Guard, Central 911, and the PNP remain on standby and are expected to resume full-scale search efforts as soon as conditions become safe.
Authorities continue to appeal to the public to avoid swimming or playing near rivers, especially during the rainy season when water levels and currents can rise rapidly and become extremely dangerous.
The Coast Guard said the search remains ongoing, and additional updates will be released as soon as new developments become available.