MORE NEWS, ILOCOS NORTE

Farmer, boy drown in Ilocos rivers

LAOAG CITY — A five-year-old boy drowned July 21 near a creek in Barangay Zamboanga, this city. Maria Nuñez said her son, Michael, probably wandered until he reached a narrow bridge.

While playing, he might have fallen into the water, she said.

Barangay Chairman Moises Saladino said his tanods scoured the creek and they found the victim’s body deep in the mud.

The victim’s parents hail from Metro Manila, but are now temporarily residing in Barangay Zamboanga here.

In Pasuquin town in the province, a 69-year-old farmer also drowned noon on July 27 while trying to cross a swollen river in Barangay Pragata, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. At that time, typhoon "Igme" was lashing the province.

Barangay Captain Artemio Licuan said the victim, identified as Loreto Vidad, was herding his farm animals across the river when strong water current swept him away.
His body was fished out Tuesday off Barangay Naglicuan, Pasuquin town.

Meanwhile, in Piddig, Ilocos Norte, carpenter Jimmy Biyena was reported missing July 28 after he failed to cross the Abucay River, the provincial disaster coordinating council said.

The PDCC, chaired by Gov. Michael Keon, also reported that a baby tornado knocked down six houses in Barangay Tartarabang, Pinili, Ilocos Norte.