Baguio City is in mourning following the tragic loss of two members of its photography community after a vehicle was swept away by flash floods along the Agno River in Itogon, Benguet on March 27, 2026.
A wave of grief has swept across Baguio City after two photojournalists lost their lives in a flash flood incident in Barangay Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet on Friday afternoon, March 27, 2026.
The victims, identified as Rodolfo “Ompong” Tan and Neil Clark Ongchangco, were part of a group of photographers who had just completed an outreach activity for graduating students of Tabu Elementary School. What began as a day of service and celebration ended in tragedy.
According to the Itogon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the group attempted to cross a section of the Agno River at around 1:20 PM when a sudden rise in water level triggered strong currents.
The vehicle carrying six individuals was quickly overwhelmed. It was pushed, tilted, and carried approximately 100 meters downstream before becoming half-submerged.
Emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene.
Five individuals were initially retrieved from the vehicle and brought to the Itogon District Hospital. Among them, Rodolfo Tan, 68, was declared dead on arrival.
Four other passengers were reported to be in stable condition.
Another passenger, Neil Clark Ongchangco, was initially reported missing. A search, rescue, and retrieval operation was conducted along the river. His body was later recovered at around 7:05 PM by a local diver approximately 500 meters from where the vehicle had come to rest.
The loss of Tan and Ongchangco has deeply affected both the media and photography communities in Baguio.
Neil Clark Ongchangco was a member of the Baguio Public Information Office, a familiar presence in public government events where he quietly documented moments that mattered to the community. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong described him as a remarkable public servant whose kindness, humility, and willingness to help defined the way he served others. He shared that their Sunday biking community will never be the same without Neil, a loss that will be deeply felt by those who knew him.
Rodolfo “Ompong” Tan was widely respected not only for his photography but also for his service to others. He was recognized as one of Baguio’s Outstanding Citizens in 2022 for his contributions to the community.
Beyond his craft, Tan dedicated his time to mentoring children with autism, helping them express themselves through photography. According to his fellow photojournalists, as a leader of the Baguio Photographers Club, he championed initiatives that empowered children with autism. In collaboration with the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), including its Baguio-Benguet chapter, he helped create safe and meaningful spaces where these children could explore photography and express how they see the world. He was also actively involved in disaster response initiatives, using his skills to support relief and awareness efforts.
For many, he was more than a photographer. He was a mentor, a volunteer, and a pillar in the community.
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