Body of teener swept away by Chico River tributary in Mountain Province found

BAGUIO CITY (November 2, 2024)—The body of the 14 year old boy, swept away by the strong river currents at Sabangan, Mountain Province two days ago was finally found Saturday morning.

Juniel Crey Liwali Bagwan went missing Friday morning after he was swept off by the rampaging waters of a tributary of the Chico River in sitio Dawdawan, barangay Supang in Sabangan while crossing to feed their pigs.

Search-and Rescue teams immediately dispatched aided by community volunteers from Sabangan and nearby Bontoc town scoured the river amidst the strong current and further downstream until Bontoc, Mt. Province’s capital.

At 10:30 AM Saturday, Bagwan's body was retrieved along Amlosong Hydro Area in Bontoc, Bontoc police and community volunteers from brgy. Chakchakan, Bontoc confirmed. 

Bontoc elders led a traditional cleansing ritual “dao-es” for all those who joined in the two-day search and retrieval operation.