Missing Bukidnon bamboo farmer found dead along river

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — The three-day search for a missing bamboo gatherer ended in grief on Wednesday morning after his decomposing body was found downstream along the Manupali River.The victim, 38-year-old Rocky Bitos of Barangay Colonia, went missing on Sunday, October 18, after drowning while navigating a handmade bamboo raft (gakit) along the river boundary separating Lantapan town and Valencia City.A resident grazing his cattle in Sitio Lanrico, Barangay Kulasihan, Lantapan, noticed a foul odor near the riverbank and spotted Bitos’ bloated body.

READ: PCG divers join search for missing farmer in Bukidnon riverThe farmer alerted nearby search teams scouring the area.Barangay Colonia village chief Rudy Guadalupe confirmed to the Inquirer that the body was retrieved at around 9:45 a.m.Guadalupe stated that while Bitos’ family was overwhelmed with emotion, they found closure knowing his body had finally been recovered.Bitos had been with his 15-year-old son, Mark, and three neighbors harvesting wild bamboo to build rafts for sale—a traditional seasonal livelihood—when turbulent currents and a whirlpool overwhelmed their raft.While his companions swam to safety, Bitos went underwater.The discovery concluded an intensive multi-agency operation involving the Valencia City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Barangay Colonia responders, and a Philippine Coast Guard scuba team from Cagayan de Oro City.In response to the tragedy, the Barangay Colonia council announced plans to pass a village ordinance banning bamboo rafts from navigating the Manupali River and its hazardous currents, and to prevent similar fatal accidents.Barangay officials have also extended financial assistance to the bereaved family./coa