A 24-year-old man died after being swept away by floodwaters in Mandaue City, Cebu, following nearly nonstop rainfall on Friday, August 15.
The victim was identified as Jeremy, a resident of Sitio 6.5 Relocation Site in Barangay Paknaan. His body was recovered the following morning, around 6 a.m., in a mangrove area at Sitio Ganghaan, only a few meters away from a submerged taxi.
Reports said Jeremy was last seen with a minor, both following a taxi that had been carried away by the flood. A witness, identified only as “Sansan,” told Brigada News FM Cebu that he urged the two to hold on to a hose for safety. The minor survived, but Jeremy was unable to withstand the strong current.
Authorities said both had been drinking at a birthday celebration before the incident.
Aside from the fatality, several vehicles, including a multicab and three motorcycles, were swept away by the rushing floodwaters.
Local officials continue to remind the public to take extra caution during heavy rains, especially in flood-prone areas.
