ORMOC CITY– A 62-year-old farmer who went missing while gathering seashells was found dead in the seawaters off Barangay Balud, Barugo, Leyte, on Friday morning, September 12.
Police identified the victim as alias “Brad,” a resident of Barangay Balud. He was reported missing the previous evening after failing to return from a shellfish-gathering trip with his son, brother, and four companions at a rocky area known locally as “Hubasan,” about a kilometer from the shore.
Investigators said the group went out to sea during low tide on Thursday and began returning around 8:00 p.m. as the tide rose. The victim, however, failed to make it back to shore. His companions searched overnight and sought help from the Philippine Coast Guard.
At around 8:30 a.m. Friday, the victim’s body was recovered in the same area. It was later brought to a funeral home in Barangay Minuswang for post-mortem examination.
(ROBERT DEJON)
