BACOLOD CITY - The bodies of the two persons reported missing in a flash flood that hit Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental were retrieved by authorities on Thursday, two days after the incident happened.
Reynald Horegue, head of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), confirmed the death of Jovelyn Banaag, 48, and Edmund Samson, 17, who were found in Barangay Crossing Magallon around 6 a.m.
The victims were among the four persons who drowned when flash floods hit their two tricycles while they were crossing the Alingasaw-Kabayabasan overflow in Barangay Montilla on Tuesday.
They were on their way to visit a relative at the adjacent barangay after attending a birthday of another relative in Barangay Magallon Cadre.
The two other casualties were earlier identified as Danilo Banaag, 17, and his uncle Roldan Banaag Sr., 50, who were found on Wednesday morning. One of the passengers on the tricycle survived, but he was orphaned when his parents died in the tragedy.
These victims traveled from Hinigaran town to meet their relatives when the incident occurred.
Horegue said the remains of the fatalities were already brought to their hometown.
Horegue thanked the rescue units of neighboring towns of Isabela, La Castellana, Hinigaran, and Binalbagan for their support and assistance in the search and retrieval operations.