13-year-old student missing after swimming in Liboganon River

KAPALONG, Davao del Norte – A 13-year-old high school student has been reported missing after swimming in the Liboganon River on Thursday, November 21, while five of his companions made it to safety.

The missing student, identified as Jeyboy Salgo, was last seen swimming with six friends, all Grade 7 and 8 students from Kapalong National High School. According to the Kapalong Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the group had gone to the river after their reading lesson and lunch.

Reports revealed that the students were not allowed to leave the school premises during lunch break. However, they reportedly sneaked out by climbing the fence at the back of the school to reach the river.

For over 24 hours, the MDRRMO personnel have been conducting a search and rescue operation to locate the missing boy. Newsline witnessed Jeyboy’s father, Renato Salgo, praying desperately on the riverbank for his son’s safe rescue.

“Please help me,” Renato pleaded, addressing authorities and expert divers. “I want to dive into the river myself, hoping to find my son at the bottom. Please help me find him today.”

Jeyboy’s mother has also been keeping vigil at the riverbank, clutching her son’s rubber shoes as she waits for any news. Her quiet but determined presence highlights the family’s anguish as they cling to hope for their child’s safe return.

The search operations are being halted at night due to safety concerns, but efforts are expected to resume during daylight hours.

The school has expressed its condolences and extended financial and moral support to Jeyboy’s family. School officials reiterated the policy prohibiting students from leaving campus without proper authorization from their advisers.

Ian Rosillo, the school head, stated, “It is part of our policy to ensure students remain within the school premises for their safety. Unfortunately, the students found a way to bypass these rules, which led to this tragic incident.”

Debbie Alilaya, another school official, emphasized that students had been repeatedly warned against going to the river, citing safety risks.

“Liboganon River is dangerous despite its clear waters. It may appear shallow near the surface, but it has deep areas that pose a significant risk,” Alilaya said. “We have reminded students and parents to prioritize safety and avoid the river, especially since the local government has prohibited crossing the protection

The Kapalong local government, under the directive of the mayor, has consistently prohibited students from approaching or swimming in the Liboganon River. The mayor also instructed security personnel to enforce the ban strictly to prevent accidents like this.

As of now, the MDRRMO continues to search for the missing student, with hopes of finding him alive. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by unsupervised activities near hazardous areas and the importance of adhering to safety policies in schools.