Third Tarlac Bridge Collapse Fatality Found; Search Continues

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Another fatality in the collapse of a bridge in Tarlac City was recovered in a river in Bayambang, Pangasinan, yesterday morning. The body of Sheila Mae Taborlupa was found by villagers along the riverbank in Barangay Tampog. Taborlupa was the third of four fatalities to be recovered, after their vehicle fell into the Tarlac River in Barangay Tibag on Aug. 29. The victims were crossing the Agana Bridge amid heavy rain spawned by the southwest monsoon when the structure collapsed, causing the vehicle to fall into the river. Relatives confirmed the body to be Taborlupa. They were accompanied by Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap to Bayambang to identify the body. A search and rescue operation is ongoing for the remaining victim, Paul Harvey Collado. Of the fatalities, James Patrick Taborlupa was the first to be recovered on Monday, in a river in Barangay Carael in Lingayen. The following day, the body of Shanen Tuhao was found in a river in Barangay San Vicente, also in Bayambang. The victims’ vehicle was found on Wednesday afternoon in a river in Barangay Caranhian, which is located several meters away from the Agana Bridge. The vehicle was carrying five people when it figured in the accident. Of the five passengers, only Nataniel Dizon survived. Meanwhile, four victims of drowning have been found in Pampanga and Zambales. The body of two siblings whose vehicle was swept away by floodwaters during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon were recovered in Apalit, Pampanga on Friday. The fatalities, identified only as Rene and Raymond, were found in a ricefield in Barangay Cansinala, according to Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, Central Luzon police director. Investigation showed the siblings were transporting 36 motorcycles when their truck was swept away by floodwaters in Barangay Cansinala. A representative of the owner of the truck identified the victims. In Zambales, a man and his seven-year-old daughter who were reported missing during the bad weather have been found along the shores of Botolan, Zambales. The Philippine Coast Guard said the 35-year-old man and his daughter were found on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. The victims were last seen on Tuesday, riding a carabao-drawn cart which was swept away by floodwaters, the PCG said. — Cesar Ramirez, Evelyn Macairan