Laoag City, Aug. 8 -- Rescuers continue to search for a missing farmer who was last seen heading toward the Padsan River to secure his carabao amid a sudden rain-induced rise in the water level on Aug. 6.

The missing farmer was identified as Alejandro Gaba, 59, a resident of Barangay Hilario in Banna, Ilocos Norte.

"He was not seen returning to his residence and has since been considered missing," the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Banna said in its incident report.

The search operation is being conducted by MDRRMO personnel, with assistance from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Philippine Marines, and volunteer rescue divers.

"The search remains difficult due to the stron...