A 33-year-old man and his three-year-old daughter, who were riding a horse, died after they were carried away by floodwaters while crossing a river in Barangay Daan Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Residents helped retrieve the man’s body, which was found trapped beneath a fallen tree in the middle of the river.

The girl’s body was found later about three kilometers away along the river bank in Barangay Patag.

Authorities said the victims were heading home from buying items in nearby Barangay Lun Padidu on Monday, May 11, when the flood struck.

“Biglaan na may ulo ng baha talaga yung sumalubong sa kanya,” Malapatan Muniicpal Police Station Chief, Major Lyod Levin Caigas, said.

The 38-year-old mother managed to survive.

“Ang among kabayo siyempre nakuratan gud, natumba mi, nahulog mi tatlo, tapos nahulog diretso mi tindog, padaplin mi naa mi tunga sa baha, tapos akong bana, ang bata naa sa akua ambi daw ang bata kay ihatud naku sa kilid, ambut lang naa sila duha sila (naanud) kit-an naku,” the mother, Janet Mananca, said.

After the incident, authorities launched a search and rescue operation, but the father and his daughter were not found at that time. The two were found only the next day.

It is believed that upland areas may have experienced rain, which caused flooding in the area.

“Base sa report is cloudy skies ang daan suyan ug upper suyan kanang alas sinko ngareporting , possible naay pag-ulan sa taas nga bahin sa bukid sa sapa,” Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Head, Mark Christopher Quiño, said.

MDRRMO added that the family crossed the river regularly to reach their area quickly.

“Naa tay gwapong dalan gikan sa Daan Suyan paadto sa Upper Suyan gisemento na na, sauna lisud na agiun pero pasulod sa Upper Suyan, gihinay-hinay napud na og semento. Bisag wala na semento maagian na og habal-habal maagian pud na og 4-wheels, possible didtu sila niaagi possible una shortcut pud na nga dalan sa Daan Suyan mas duol-duol,” Quiño added.

The local government is set to give assistance to the bereaved family.

“Nangayo ko tabang sa inyuha nga akung bana akong anak namatay na sila tungod sa baha,” Mananca said.