ILOILO City – A squall hit another Guimaras boat. But this time it was a fishing boat, according to the Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO).
The boat’s two fishermen, a father and son, survived. They were residents of Barangay Poblacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.
A squall or sudden gust of violent wind and heavy rains lasting for several minutes rocked the boat until it capsized in the waters of Barangay Lawi, Jordan, Guimaras facing the Iloilo Strait yesterday at around 4:30 a.m.
Catalino Vinson, 56, and son Jason, 19, managed to safety reach the shore of Barangay Lawi though their boat was totally destroyed.
The younger Vinson told to the police they were able to hang on to some boat wreckage, according to Guimaras police director Police Colonel Hector Maestral.
He urged local fishermen not to go out when the seas are rough.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, rainy weather is expected to prevail across the country due to the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.
Typhoon “Hanna” and a low-pressure area (LPA) are strengthening the habagat.
On Aug. 3 at around 12:15 p.m., a squall hit M/B Chi Chi (which was carrying 45 passengers and four crewmen) and M/B Keziah 2 (with five crew).
Both boats were bound for Jordan from the Iloilo Parola Wharf.
All crew of the two pump boats and 34 passengers survived while 11 died.
Around three hours after, M/B Jenny Vince carrying 38 passengers and four crew members left Buenavista, Guimaras for Iloilo City. It capsized. Its four crew and 22 passengers survived while 20 died./PN
