PINUKPUK, Kalinga – The body of a farmer was found on a creek at the height of severe tropical storm “Florita” in Sitio Pon-ad Ananaw, Barangay Wagud, Pinukpuk, Kalinga Tuesday, Aug. 23.
The Pinukpuk Municipal Police Station identified the victim as Francis Cabanes Bitanga, 56, resident of Sito Pisot, Barangay Wagud.
Police said Bitanga went to Sitio Pon-ad Monday, Aug. 22, to see his "kaingin" (slash-and-burn) plot and spent the night at the hut of a Fortunato Uggay.
Uggay told police that Bitanga left his place around 6 a.m. Tuesday despite the heavy rains and winds from Florita.
Margarita, the victim's wife, said she called Uggay through a handheld radio to ask where her husband was. Uggay told her that Francis left his hut early to go home.
Uggay was walking on a foot trail and saw the victim's body around 3 p.m. at the end of the creek covered with the dry leaves of an ilang-ilang tree.