A police officer in Cebu narrowly escaped serious harm after his vehicle was swept away by powerful floodwaters and plunged over a cliff early Sunday morning.
Incident Details on Transcentral Highway
The alarming event occurred along the Transcentral Highway in Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu. According to the Balamban Municipal Police Station, the officer involved was Police Master Staff Sergeant Mohaliden Kamsang Samod, 44, a resident of Tubigagmanok in the neighboring town of Asturias.
Initial reports indicate that Samod was traveling from Balamban towards Cebu City on December 7, 2025. His journey was interrupted when he reached a section of the highway overwhelmed by strong, rushing water flowing directly across the road surface.
Vehicle Swept Away During U-Turn Attempt
Faced with the hazardous and extremely slippery conditions, the officer made the decision to abort his trip and return to Balamban. As he attempted to execute a U-turn on the flooded roadway, the force of the current proved too powerful.
The strong flow of water caught the vehicle, sweeping it completely off the road. The car then went over the edge of a cliff. The drop from the highway to the point of impact below is estimated to be between 20 to 30 feet deep.
Aftermath and Officer's Condition
Miraculously, Police Master Staff Sergeant Samod sustained only minor injuries from the terrifying ordeal. Emergency responders and police investigators quickly arrived at the scene following the accident.
This incident highlights the severe and sudden dangers that adverse weather and flooding can pose to motorists, even on major provincial highways. It serves as a critical reminder for drivers in the Philippines to exercise extreme caution during heavy rains and to avoid attempting to cross flooded roads.
