JOINT Search and Rescue (SAR) teams have successfully recovered the body of the second and final missing passenger following a fatal spillway crossing incident in Barangay Colongan, Rosario, Batangas.
At approximately 8:30 AM on October 5, 2026, search teams located the remains roughly 800 meters downstream from the spillway along the Pinansingin River in Sitio Kilo.
Prior to the morning operation, SAR personnel coordinated directly with the victim’s family at the Barangay Colongan Hall to outline the systematic downstream search strategy, supported by continuous aerial surveillance from district personnel.
With this latest recovery, all 14 individuals onboard the passenger jeepney that was swept away during the October 3 incident have now been fully accounted for:
- 12 Passengers Rescued: Successfully evacuated and medically evaluated by Coast Guard personnel on the day of the incident.
- 2 Fatalities Recovered: The first body was retrieved three kilometers downstream on October 4, followed by the second body on October 5.
The multi-agency response team—comprising the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), MDRRMO Rosario, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and local barangay officials—assisted in transferring the remains to the proper authorities and the bereaved family.
Following the tragic conclusion of the search operations, the PCG and local disaster management agencies expressed their deepest condolences to the victims’ families.
Authorities have renewed their strong warnings to the public and motorists, urging extreme caution and advising against attempting to cross swollen spillways and rivers during high water levels or strong currents.
