JOINT SEARCH. Rescue teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection, M’lang Barangay Association, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team, and the M’lang police in North Cotabato converged Friday (Oct. 16, 2020) for a joint search operation for a missing farmer who fell from an overflow bridge recently amid heavy rains. The missing farmer, identified as Bernard Alinsagay, had just emerged from a drinking binge with friends when the accident happened. (Photo courtesy of M’lang MDRRMO)
M’LANG, North Cotabato -- The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) has sought the help of other agencies to augment the search and retrieval operation for a missing 40-year old farmer after recently falling from an overflow bridge here.
Bernardo Tayong, the town’s disaster management officer, said they coordinated with other agencies to immediately launch a search operation for farmer Bernard Alinsagay who was reported missing since Tuesday evening following a drinking session with friends.
“He was drunk when he tried to cross the overflow bridge around 10 p.m. amid a heavy downpour,” Tayong said.
A team from the Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials, the Peacekeeping Action Team, and the local police assisted the MDRRMO in the search effort.
“We have also coordinated with adjacent villages and neighboring towns of Maguindanao in the Liguasan Marsh area for possible sightings of Alinsagay whether dead or alive,” Tayong added.
Heavy rains battered the province since Tuesday due to Tropical Depression Ofel, leaving several towns submerged amid heavy flooding that included M’lang, Pikit, Kabacan, and Antipas towns. (PNA)
