ILOILO City – At least 16 people died after 3 boats capsized off Iloilo Strait in separate incidents around noontime yesterday.
Disaster-mitigation authorities said at least 41
passengers have been rescued but they feared death toll could still rise.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo (PCG), first two incidents
happened around 12:30 p.m.
Motorboats Chichi and Keziah 2 were navigating the rough waters off Iloilo-Guimaras strait when these were battered by squalls or sudden strong gusts of wind causing the boats to capsize.
MB Chi-chi was carrying 43 passengers with eight crews; MB Keziah was behind, but with no passengers.
Gov. Samuel Gumarin confirmed five passengers died in Buenavista Hospital in Guimaras including two male minors and three females. Six passengers – who have been rushed to different hospitals in this city – were also declared dead.
Ronnel Gola, one of the rescuers, recounted the scenes during the rescue operation.
He said that they needed to destroy portions of the boat just to take passengers out.
Gola added most of those sitting at the back were students.
Three hours after the incident, MB Jenny Vince with 36 passengers also sank after motorboats traveling to and from Guimaras and Iloilo City were allowed to set out again.
According to Buenavista mayor Eugene Reyes, authorities are still verifying casualties in the third sinking.
“We are checking to the hospitals kung sa 11, may ato na-include nga sa Buenavista nga incident,” Reyes said.
He is asking the PCG: “Why they authorized the motorboats to sail when in fact there’s a sea mishap that happened in Jordan”
“Amo na ang gina pamangkot ko ang coast guard nga-a gin pahanugutan nila ang mga passenger boats nga mag trip kay may insidente na natabo. Indi bale ma stranded ang mga pasahero basta safe lang sila,” Reyes said.
The following are the names of survivors based on the partial list of Iloilo City Disaster Risk Management Office:
* Argie Jame Callet
* Mia Esponila
* Jefrey Premaran
* Jan Christian Java
* Jairus James Alejado
* Jhaelyn Salanatin
* Florane Galve
* Aliza Dagohoy
* Miale Esponilla
* Isidro Palacios
* Rayjand Guinsatao
* Jose Cyrel Serato
Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the third capsized boat as of this writing.
Strong winds are being felt in Iloilo and Guimaras amid a southwest monsoon intensifying a low pressure area.
All trips between Iloilo City to Guimaras have been suspended./PN
