MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A search for a 49-year-old mother who disappeared from her home ended in tragedy after her body was found floating in the shallow waters of the Sawaga River in Barangay 9 on Monday morning, September 7.
The woman, identified by authorities only as alias “Beng,” was a resident of Barangay Casisang. Police said residents alerted authorities after spotting a body among rocks in the river.
Her husband and children later positively identified the remains, matching the description of the woman whose disappearance had prompted an appeal for help on social media.
Family had been searching for her
According to Malaybalay City Police Station chief Lt. Col. Joepet Paglinawan, Beng reportedly left their home at around midnight Sunday without anyone accompanying her.
Her family said she had been experiencing what they described as a nervous breakdown and had previously left home without notice.
Relatives also told authorities that she had allegedly expressed thoughts about jumping from a bridge before she disappeared.
Police are now examining whether those circumstances may be connected to her death.
Severe injuries found
Investigators observed severe head trauma and multiple fractures to her arms and legs, prompting authorities to consider the possibility that she may have fallen or jumped from a bridge into the river.
At this stage, police have reported no initial indication of foul play.
Her body was recovered from the river and brought to a local funeral parlor for the family’s wake arrangements.
Bukidnon has seen other river-related tragedies
The latest incident comes amid several recent reports of deaths and disappearances involving waterways and difficult terrain in Bukidnon.
In August, a 16-year-old student drowned in the Pulangi River in Quezon, Bukidnon, after reportedly attempting to rescue a female classmate who was in danger of drowning. Responders said the area was difficult to access, with a narrow route located about eight kilometers from the national highway.
In July, MindaNews also reported deaths linked to flooding in Bukidnon after heavy southwest monsoon rains. Authorities reported that people were swept away by strong currents, highlighting the dangers posed by swollen waterways during periods of severe weather.
These incidents underscore the risks faced by residents living near rivers and other hazardous terrain, particularly when strong currents, difficult access routes or sudden changes in water conditions are involved.
Investigation continues
For Beng’s family, however, the immediate concern is no longer the search for a missing loved one but understanding exactly how she ended up in the Sawaga River.
Police have not announced a definitive cause of death beyond the injuries observed on the body. The circumstances surrounding her final movements remain under investigation.
Authorities are expected to continue examining the location, the victim’s injuries and information provided by her family as they establish what happened before she was found.
For now, police are treating the case as having no initial indication of foul play, while investigating whether the woman fell or jumped from a bridge into the river.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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