A 15-year-old boy died after drowning while swimming with relatives and companions in the Libungan River in Barangay Polayagan, Alamada, Cotabato, on August 26, 2026.
The victim was identified as John Rey Cagod, 15, a resident of Sitio Papandayan, Barangay Bao, Alamada.
Based on the initial investigation of the Alamada Municipal Police Station, Cagod went to the Libungan River with his cousin, identified as Dimmer Aproebo, also 15, and several other companions to swim.
The outing turned tragic when Cagod reportedly entered a deeper portion of the river while swimming. He suddenly went underwater and failed to resurface.
His companions immediately attempted to rescue him and searched the area where he was last seen. Despite their efforts, it took some time before they were able to locate him.
At around 2:50 p.m., Cagod was found and pulled from the river by his companions.
Personnel from the Alamada Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) promptly responded to the incident and rushed the teenager to a hospital for emergency medical attention.
Despite the immediate rescue and medical response, Cagod was declared dead on arrival (DOA) by the attending duty physician.
Police said the initial investigation found no visible signs of external injuries or other bodily marks that could indicate physical assault or other circumstances suggesting foul play.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the complete circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
The incident serves as another tragic reminder of the dangers posed by rivers, particularly areas where sudden changes in depth, strong currents, slippery riverbeds, and other unseen hazards can put swimmers at risk.
Police and disaster-response authorities continue to remind the public, especially parents and young people, to exercise extreme caution when swimming in rivers and other natural bodies of water. Swimming in unfamiliar or deep sections of rivers can be dangerous even when the water appears calm and safe.
For now, authorities are treating the incident as an apparent drowning, pending the completion of the investigation and any further findings that may emerge.