Sagada girl missing, one saved in river

By Aldwin Quitasol

ITOGON, Benguet — Authorities of this mining town reported a 16-year-old girl is still missing while her 15-year old cousin is now safe after they were swept by strong current of the Agno River here Oct. 16 at Sitio Salapsap, Barangay Dalupirip.
    The name of the rescued girl was not known.
    Relatives of the missing girl identified her as Colleen Chance Flores, resident of Kias who  traces her roots from Sagada, Mountain Province.
    Reports from the Itogon Municipal Police Station said the two girls informed their families to go to the river to swim.
    When the cousins were swimming to cross the river, the current suddenly went strong.
    The police reported the 15-year-old girl held on to a rock in the middle of the river as rescuers were able to find her in time.
    Meantime, search and rescue by the Dalupirip Barangay Health Emergency Response Team, Barangay Health Worker, Itogon Municipal Health Services Office, Bureau of Fire Protection Itogon and the police is still ongoing for the 16-year-old girl.
    Relatives of Flores appealed to folks downriver to report to authorities her whereabouts.