DAVAO CITY - The body of the 15-year-old who was reported missing in the municipality of Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte was retrieved on Tuesday, February 16.
In a report, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Santo Tomas said the body of Rovic Bonghanoy Estores, a resident of Purok 5, Sitio Santo Nino in Barangay Kinamayan was retrieved by responders at 10:35 am after residents in the same village spotted his body in a creek.
The MDRRMO responders found his lifeless body floating near the Lanatad Bridge. Rescuers said the body was already in the decomposition state.
According to the statement of the municipal government, initial report showed that Estores was among those who went in Purok 8, Barangay Pantaron to swim in Lunga-og river.
Municipal Information Officer Mart Sambalud, however, said the family of Estores reported him missing since Sunday, February 14.
At that time, the river had already swelled, causing flash floods in low-lying areas. The municipal government said burial assistance was given to the bereaved family of Estores.