ZAMBOANGA CITY - An engineering student went missing and was feared dead after being swept by big waves while swimming in a beach in the west coast village of the city, police said Tuesday.
City police director Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro identified the missing victim as Kassan Alih Limbuna, 19, an engineering student of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).
His companion identified as Charlemain Corpus, 20 has been rescued.
Limbuna and Corpus were swimming with two other companions in the beach in Sitio Caragasan, Barangay Maasin on Monday afternoon when they were swept by big waves.
Limbuna was dragged by the wave to the deeper part of the beach while Corpus was immediately rescued by his companions.
The coast guard unit in the city has deployed its personnel for the search and rescue of Limbuna.
Meanwhile, two houses were also swept and nine other houses were partially damaged by the surge of waves at the coastal village of Sinunuc, Tuesday dawn.
At least five houses were also partially damaged from the landslide that hit the uphill village of Capisan, Tuesday morning.
No one was reported hurt in the two incidents.
Classes from primary to secondary levels in public and private schools were suspended by City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar due to the bad weather since Sunday.
At least villages in the city ahve been submerged in floodwaters due to incessant rains.