A woman believed to have drowned on Christmas Day was found dead near the riverside in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Saturday, Dec. 28.

The PCG said the lifeless body of the victim was discovered in Barangay Hupi on Dec. 26 following an extensive search, rescue and retrieval operation.

The victim was reported to have been swept away by strong flood currents while attempting to cross a bridge in the nearby Barangay Baliis on Dec. 25.

"The victim, along with her husband and daughter, was traveling in their vehicle and attempting to cross the bridge in Barangay Baliis when they were swept away by strong floodwaters. While trying to exit the vehicle, the victim was caught by the current and carried into the river," the PCG said.

An initial search operation began along the riverside areas of Barangay Baliis, and extended to nearby villages of Hupi, Balogo and Buyabod.

“Despite extensive efforts on the first day, 25 December 2024, the operations yielded no results,” the PCG said.

A group of search volunteers eventually found the body of a lifeless woman along the riverside in Barangay Huoi around 10 a.m. the following day, Dec. 26.

“The cadaver matched the description of the missing female victim,” the PCG confirmed.

However, the identity of the victim was withheld by the PCG upon the request of her family.

The body was transported to a funeral home in Barangay Hupi for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, the PCG urged the public to be careful while traveling this year-end holiday amid the inclement weather.

“The PCG, together with local authorities, continues to remind the public to exercise extreme caution when traveling in areas prone to flooding, especially during adverse weather conditions,” it said.