Cops, LGU to look into waterfall tragedy

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) is tasked to investigate the incident at the Tinubdan Falls in Catmon where three persons died after being swept away by a flashflood.

This is according to Catmon Municipal Councilor Dan Jusay in an interview Tuesday morning after finding out that the area didn't have a permit to operate from the local government unit (LGU).

The death toll rose to three after the body of last person who went missing, Jacel Alastra, was found by a fisherman approximately 13 to 15 kilometers from the shoreline of adjacent Carmen town Tuesday dawn.

At around 5 a.m. in the morning, the responding team retrieved the body of Jacel, more than 24 hours after she went missing along with her daughter, Princess Alastra, and Kent Jude Monterola.

"Layo na jud ni sya from (Tinubdan Falls) kay ang Tinubdan Falls tua man sa bukid," said Jusay, also a former town mayor.

Quoting the relatives, Jusay said the family gathered for a death anniversary of a relative which turned into a family reunion.

Jusay also said that the area was discovered by vloggers and has been promoted through the social media. However, no official permit has been issued by the LGU.

"Pero wa gyud na natagai og permit diri sa LGU kay delikado ang lugar kay kana man gud sapa man gud na sya ma'am, dako na sya nga sapa nga gikan sa bukid nga padung na gyud diri sa lungsod gyud," said Jusay.

Jusay said they are set to meet with the mayor to open an investigation against those who allowed the public to enter the premise without a permit.

Jusay said he would personally recommend for the area’s temporary closure to the public.

"Nag-launch mi og committee nga maoy mo-investigate, mo meet sad mi sa police kay mao lagi na walay permit," said Jusay.

It was reported that three bodies went missing after having been swept away by a flashflood in Tinubdan Falls in Barangay Tabili, Catmon on Sunday afternoon.

According to Patrolman Renmart Bantecil of Catmon Police Station, around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, the lifeless body of Kent Jude Monterola was retrieved by authorities.

As the search and rescue operation continues, it was then converted into a retrieval operation the day after.

Authorities found the body of 7-year-old Princess Alastra Monterola at around 11:30 a.m. the following day. — GMR (FREEMAN)