CORDILLERA REGION, Philippines — The relentless three-day search and retrieval operation following the tragic vehicular accident along the Chico River in Bontoc has come to a close, with all five victims successfully recovered.
The successful retrieval operations were made possible through the combined efforts of the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office (MPPPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bontoc and Samoki Emergency Response Teams, Municipal and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, Bontoc Municipal Health Office, Barangay Tocucan DRRM Committee and community, Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), the Philippine Red Cross-Mountain Province Chapter, and other volunteer responders.
According to reports, the accident occurred on October 27, 2025, when a vehicle carrying five construction workers from a private company plunged into the Chico River at Sitio Gawa, Barangay Tocucan, Bontoc, while en route to a project site in Kuro-Kuro, Sadanga.
Upon receiving the report, the MPPPO immediately mobilized personnel, coordinating closely with rescue teams and local responders to begin the search and retrieval operations under difficult terrain and strong river currents.
By the evening of the first day, responders recovered the bodies of two victims, identified as Rogelio Romeo Dela Cruz, Jr., 22, and JC Aquino Galicia, 20, both from San Nicolas, Pangasinan. Their remains were brought to the Bontoc General Hospital morgue and promptly claimed by their families.
The joint team continued the operation, and two more victims were recovered on October 28: Zoren Jay Luaso Alat, 25, of Siay, Zamboanga del Norte, whose body was transported by the PDRRMO to La Trinidad, Benguet, and Carlo Ancheta, a minor from Tayug, Pangasinan, whose remains were found beneath the Chico River by a local responder from Barangay Tocucan.
The search culminated on October 29, 2025, with the recovery of the fifth victim, Edmond Romeo, 22, of Pangasinan, who was found approximately two meters from the submerged vehicle. With his retrieval, the multi-agency mission was officially concluded.
A cleansing ritual known as “Palanga, Khaeb si Uminuman” was held at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol, symbolizing respect and closure for the families and the community. The Mountain Province PDRRMO later facilitated the transport of Romeo’s body to Pangasinan, accompanied by his family and representatives from Balintaugan Construction.
The families of the victims expressed deep gratitude to all responders, acknowledging the extraordinary cooperation and compassion shown throughout the operation. The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region extended its profound sympathies to the bereaved families and commended the unified efforts of every participating agency and volunteer.
Their relentless coordination, courage, and dedication exemplify the spirit of public service and solidarity that defines the province’s emergency response community.
