Missing 13-year-old student found dead after three days

DAVAO CITY —The body of a 13-year-old student who went missing after swimming in the Liboganon River on Thursday, November 21, has been found.

The victim, identified as Jeyboy Salgo, a student of Kapalong National High School, was discovered early Saturday morning, November 23, in Purok 4, Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Canocotan, Tagum City. According to authorities, a report about the discovery of a boy’s lifeless body was received at around 6:00 AM.

Salgo’s family confirmed his identity and expressed grief over the tragic incident.

The incident occurred after Salgo and his friends, all students, decided to swim in the Liboganon River following their reading lesson and lunch break. Despite school policies prohibiting students from leaving campus during breaks, the group reportedly snuck out by climbing a fence at the back of the school to access the river.

Reports indicate that it was Salgo who invited his friends to join him in the water. The river, although clear and seemingly shallow at the surface, has dangerously deep sections that have been the site of previous accidents.

Efforts to locate Salgo involved a two-day retrieval operation led by the Kapalong Rescue and Emergency Services (KARES), in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Special Rescue Force Davao del Norte. Teams combed the area tirelessly before receiving the report that his body had been found downstream.

The incident has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of school policies and parental vigilance to prevent similar tragedies. Kapalong National High School has reiterated its reminders to students and parents about the dangers of the Liboganon River and the importance of adhering to school rules.

The community has expressed sympathy for the Salgo family, with local authorities vowing to review safety measures and security protocols in the area to avoid further loss of life.