Man allegedly drowns at earthquake-formed dam in Davao Occidental

A man allegedly drowned while swimming at an artificial dam formed by earthquake-induced landslides in Barangay San Isidro, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

According to Mayor Jason John Joyce, the barangay chairman said the victim was reportedly with a relative drinking near the newly-formed dam or lake, but went swimming later and failed to resurface.

“Nag-inuman daw, so itong namatay, pumunta sa lake, naglangoy at sumisid daw tapos nagtaka sila hindi na nakaahon and nung hinanap nila naapakan daw nila doon sa lake na wala ng buhay yung tao,” Joyce said.

(They were said to be drinking, so the fatality went to the lake, supposedly swam and dived in. They began to wonder when he did not return to the surface and when they found him, he was already dead.)

It can be recalled that several houses in Barangay San Isidro were submerged in floodwaters when water accumulated due to landslides triggered by the earthquake that struck on June 8, 2026.

The local government has since warned residents about the dangers and advised them to evacuate for their safety.

According to the local government, landslides triggered by the earthquake blocked the natural waterway flowing from a river nearby.

“May natural source sana tayo ng upstream river connection sa Barangay San Isidro and Brgy. Noing but due to the two mountains na nag-landslide they trapped the flow of the river,” Jose Abad Santos Public Information Officer, Julie Marie Buen, said earlier.

(We were hoping for a natural source via an upstream river connection with Barangays San Isidro and Noing...)

On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) opened the artificial dam successfully through the joint effort of responders and partner agencies.

The operation restored the normal flow of water and helped prevent possible flooding in affected communities.

“Nakausap ko din ang kapitan ng Brgy. San Isidro kung saan yung dam. Mabilis daw yung paghupa ng tubig kasi iyung bahay na natakpan ng water, nakikita na daw yung mga bubong ng mga bahay,” Joyce said.

(We talked to the Barangay Captain of San Isidro where the dam is located. He said the water receded quickly because the roofs of the flooded houses are already visible.)

Authorities continue to assess the damage caused by the dam formed in the area. —Sarah Hilomen Velasco, with reports from Efren Mamac, GMA Regional TV One Mindanao