A hanging bridge at the Camanitohan River in Manito, Albay, collapsed, bringing at least 15 people down to the water. Those who fell suffered from cuts and bruises.

“May nag-crack po tapos diretso na po kami bagsak baba,” Nikki Daen, one of the 15 people, said.

“Bugsok po ako kaito tas naipit ako, malulunod na po ako kaito ta nakakainom na akong mga dagat,” Marian Daen, another one said. 

Mark Anthony Arizapa of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRMMO) Manito, the bridge might have collapsed due to its age and the volume of people using it. 

As of this writing, residents of Barangay It-Ba and Barangay Cawit rely on boats for transportation, while a bamboo bridge is being constructed.

“Madeploy po ang LGU ki 24/7 na bangka po ngane po magamit [o] ma-utilized po kan mga tao, mga residente kan Cawit, siring man po kan mga residente na mapasiring sa Cawit,” Airine Cabog, Public Information Officer of Manito, said.

The bridge was approximately 200 meters and was hanging 10 feet above the river.

William Daen, Barangay Captain of It-Ba, deployed boats to rescue those who fell. Coast Guard personnel helped transport them to hospitals. 

“Nagpakuha na ako ng bangka para mailipat sila sa kabila’ Yung may mga gasgas, may kaunting tama, nakuha na ng coast guard, agad namang dinala sa ospital,” Daen said.

The bridge served as the link between Barangay Cawit and Barangay It-Ba.

“Ini na nanggad an importante mi an tulay digdi, ta uya na iyo an salbasyon mi kung oras na may kalamidad,” Ernesto Daen, Barangay Captain of Cawit, said.

The hanging bridge was also a scenic spot offering a picturesque view of Mount Mayon, which led to the gathering of victims at the time of the incident.