Search halted for teen swept away by big waves in Surigao del Sur

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur— Search and retrieval operations for a 14-year-old boy who was swept away by strong waves off Barangay Victoria in Tago, Surigao del Sur were suspended on Tuesday after rough sea conditions posed severe risks to emergency personnel.

In Notice to Mariners No. CGSSDS-1126-002, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station Surigao del Sur identified the missing teenager as Jaymark C. Rivas, a resident of Purok Macopa in Barangay Victoria.

According to the PCG advisory issued by station commander Ens. Mark Rudolf Garcia, Rivas was swimming along the shoreline when strong waves pulled him away, an incident aggravated by heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

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Joint search teams from the PCG, the Philippine National Police, and village volunteers mobilized immediately. But the Tago Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) later called an operational halt due to hazardous waves and strong underwater currents.

“Our mission is to save lives, but we must also ensure that our rescuers return home safely,” the MDRRMO said, emphasizing that this was based on standard risk assessments to prevent further casualties.

The MDRRMO appealed to the victim’s family and the public for understanding as authorities monitor sea conditions before safely resuming coastal operations.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard urged all ships, watercraft, and fisherfolk operating off Barangay Victoria to remain on alert and immediately report any sightings to the nearest unit or via the CGS Surigao del Sur operations hotline at 0906-381-1124. /coa