2 soldiers found dead after Army boat capsizes

COTABATO CITY – Two soldiers were found dead nearly a day after their scout boat capsized during a river patrol in Maguindanao del Sur on Friday, May 2.

The bodies of Private First Class Manuel Bermudez and Corporal Dennis Abrea were retrieved on Saturday, May 3, around 20 hours after the incident in Barangay Butalo, Datu Salibo, the military said.

The two were part of a team from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division on a riverine anti-terror operation when their boat, one of two small scout crafts, flipped over while navigating a wide and deep section of the Butalo River.

Major General Donald Gumiran, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, confirmed their deaths on Monday, May 5.

Military rescuers, along with barangay officials, found the two soldiers in separate search operations the following day.

“To all of those who helped us find both of them, we are grateful,” Gumiran said in a statement.

The military said the remains of Bermudez and Abrea would be brought home to their families, with the 6th ID assisting in funeral arrangements.

About The Author

John Unson

John Unson is a veteran Filipino journalist who serves as a staff writer for the regions “Central Mindanao and BARMM” at The Philippine Star. He covers news and events in Mindanao — especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the broader Central Mindanao area. His reporting spans a wide range of topics including security incidents, terrorist-related developments, drug enforcement, smuggling operations, social issues, and regional politics.

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