A 9-year-old girl drowned after being swept away by floodwaters while on her way home from school in Surallah, South Cotabato.
The victim was identified as Nicole Pensoy, a Grade 2 pupil at Colongulo Elementary School and a resident of Sitio Villa Ellaga, Barangay Colongulo, Surallah.
According to an interview with Bombo Radyo Koronadal, the victim’s mother, Mylen Pensoy, said she couldn’t fetch her children from school due to heavy rain that Friday afternoon.
She felt reassured, though, as the children had raincoats and umbrellas given by the school.
However, her 7-year-old son arrived home drenched and crying, telling her that his older sister was swept away by the floodwaters.
The boy also nearly got carried away by the current but managed to reach higher ground and survived.
The Pensoy family immediately rushed to the location where Nicole was swept away, but they only found her slippers.
Nicole’s father, along with the rescue team, crossed the river to search for her, but their efforts were in vain as night fell.
Barangay Kagawad Alex Hechanova reported that Nicole’s body was found lifeless by the riverbank in Sitio Asparagus the following Saturday noon.
Nicole, who was a consistent first honor student, had been excited to show her grades to her parents.
Authorities are urging parents to ensure their children take safer routes, especially during heavy rainfall.
The river crossing, a private property, has since been temporarily closed to prevent further incidents.