Elderly man missing as boat capsizes on Maguindanao river

COTABATO CITY--Rescuers launched a search operation for a sexagenarian who was carried away by strong currents after their motor banca capsized in Pagalungan River in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao.

Senior Insp. Jemar delos Santos, speaking for the Police Regional Office – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said on Thursday that rescuers are still scouring the waters of Pagalungan River to determine if Midtimbang Macalimbang, 62, of riverside Barangay Dungguan, Datu Montawal, is still alive.

“Search parties have been dispatched to look for the missing victim,” Delos Santos said.

Macalimbang, together with his wife, Salim, 59, and grandson Nasrullah Ganlayan, were onboard a motor banca on their way to the town proper around 10 a.m. when they suddenly encountered big waves, causing their vessel to tip over.

Macalimbang was carried away by the current but his wife and grandson managed to swim safely towards the riverbank.

Delos Santos said heavy rains during the past several days caused Pagalungan River to overflow and flooded certain areas of Datu Montawal and Pagalungan towns in Maguindanao, and the nearby municipalities of Pikit and Kabacan, North Cotabato. (PNA)

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http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052217
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