Missing Motorboat Passenger Found Dead in San Jorge River

• The missing motorboat passenger was found dead on February 17 after a seven-day search. The victim fell into the river on February 10 amid strong currents and heavy rain.

The Vanguard 5 months ago 968

Posted on Feb. 18, 2026 at 11:09 am

SAN JORGE, Samar — A passenger of a motorboat who had been reported missing last week was discovered deceased on February 17, 2026, following a seven-day search operation in this town.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of San Jorge (MDRRMO) reported that the individual had fallen into the river on February 10 around 2:00 p.m. The motorboat was en route from Poblacion 2 to Barangay Cagtoto-og when the person was swept away by strong river currents triggered by heavy rainfall.

Authorities were informed of the incident at approximately 6:24 p.m., about four hours after it happened, due to poor network connectivity in the area. Rescue efforts were delayed until the next day due to adverse weather conditions, including heavy rains, flooding, and hazardous river currents.

A coordinated search operation was launched involving the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils of Mobo-ob and Cagtoto-og, the Northwest Samar State University – San Jorge Campus SDRRMO, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and MDRRMO volunteers and partner responders.

After a weeklong search, the victim’s body was discovered at around 12:40 p.m. on February 17. Authorities said the remains were found lodged in a cluster of bamboo rooted near the riverbank, where they had apparently been trapped and carried by strong currents for several days. The recovery was led by MDRRMO head Jerome Paldez.

The victim’s remains were formally turned over to the grieving family at approximately 7:29 p.m. the same day. — Nicole Cabacang, DEVCom Intern, The Vanguard

(Source and photo: Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of San Jorge)