BONTOC, Mountain Province – The fifth or last victim of the overturned vehicle along Chico River, Bontoc–Tabuk–Enrile Road, specifically in Gawa, Barangay Tocucan, Bontoc, Mountain Province, has been found on the third day of the search.
The body of Edmund Magaway Romeo, 22, a native of San Nicolas, Pangasinan, was found at around 4:38 p.m. on October 29.
Once again, the Tocucan community covered the victim’s body with a blanket—giving warmth, comfort, and solace to his body and soul.
This simple yet profound gesture reflects the deep compassion, solidarity, and respect that the people of the Cordillera have for others—especially in times of tragedy and loss.
Romeo is among the two missing, after the tragic accident, on the morning of October 27.
During intensive search operations, at around 11:00 a.m. on October 28, one of the missing, Carlo Ancheta, a native of Evangelista, Tayug, Pangasinan, was found two meters away from their submerged vehicle in the Chico River.
The three who were first seen after the incident were Rogelio Romeo Dela Cruz, Jr., 22, of San Rafael West, San Nicolas, Pangasinan; JC Aquino Galicia, 20, of San Rafael East, San Nicolas, Pangasinan and Zoren Jay Luaso Alat, 25, a young man, from Siay, Zamboanga del Norte.
It can be recalled that at around 4:11 a.m. on October 27, the victims were aboard a Mitsubishi Canter, heading to a construction site in Sadanga, Mt. Province when a Ford Fiera and a mini dump truck collided along Bontoc–Tabuk Enrile Road in Gawa, Barangay Tocucan, Bontoc, Mt. Province.
The victims’ vehicle plunged into a ravine and fell approximately 150–170 meters into the Chico River.
Before the search and retrieval operation, a Vigil Mass was held at ground zero this morning led by Rev. Fr. Marcial Lloyd Castañeda.
The solemn gathering aimed to offer prayers for the eternal peace of the souls of the deceased, comfort for their bereaved families, and divine guidance for the ongoing search and recovery operation. Food donations also poured in from concerned citizens for the responders who are continuing their operations without ceasing.
PHOTO CAPTION
Rescuers lift the Mitsubishi Canter carrying five construction workers that fell into the Chico River on the morning of October 27. Photo Bontoc MDRRMO
