Off Camotes Island 3 die, 2 missing in ferry sinking

Three people died including a 10-month old baby, two are missing and feared dead while 21 others survived after a motorized boat used as an inter-island ferry capsized just meters off Camotes Island late Wednesday afternoon.

M/B Anton II, which had 13 passengers from Danao City, capsized at about 5:25 p.m. while maneuvering to dock at barangay Kawit, Pilar town.

Allan Lapeciros, one of the 15 crewmembers who survived the tragedy, said they were about to dock when a strong wind blew them causing the boat to drift, dragged its anchor and capsized.

Lapeciros said they were not able to dock immediately when they arrived, because there was another boat that was berthed.

According to Lapiciros, they waited for about 10 minutes for the other boat left the berthing area but a strong wind blew them back to the sea and the boat capsized 50 meters away from the shoreline.

Lapeciros said six of their passengers were immediately rescued.

Unfortunately, five disappeared due to the strong waves, including the three who were found dead yesterday morning in barangay Guincan-an, Poro.

The bodies of Eleonor Tikling, 31 of Lanao, Pilar; Lisa Cabillo Godinez, 32 of barangay Monserat; and the 10-month old Edcel de la Cruz were fished out by the local police and residents who helped in the search and rescue operations.

Those who are still missing as of press time are Edgar de la Cruz and Warly Godinez, Jr. Edgar is the father of the 10-month old fatality while Warly is the son of Lisa.

Lisa’s father, Gregorio Cabillo, said that his daughter went home to commemorate All Souls’ Day with them.

Cabillo, in an interview over radio station dyLA, said his daughter even sent a text message and told them to wait for her as she’ll join them for dinner.

Cabillo said they were surprised that Lisa did not arrive until yesterday morning prompting them to inquire. He said they later found out that she is already dead and her son is still missing.

The passengers, who survived from the tragedy were Lilian Torrejas, 38; Liza de la Cruz, 31; Mariel Amistoso, 17; Rusell Magahop, 17; Mary Ann Borinaga, 19 and one more whose name was not known.

PO1 Ritchie Camillo of Pilar Police Station said the rescue operation was delayed because they were not immediately informed of the incident.

Camillo said they were only told of the incident yesterday morning.

Cebu Coast Guard deputy chief Roberto Muela said they also learned the incident very late. Muela said the incident happened at 5:25 p.m. last Wednesday, but they were informed about it only at 7:00 a.m. yesterday.

Muela said he immediately sent a search and rescue team to look for the missing passengers.

Pilar vice mayor Rommel Tajo said they will extend financial assistance to the families of the victims including the survivors.

Tajo said in an interview over dyLA that they will also provide the caskets of the three fatalities.

According to Tajo, he already asked personnel from the municipal engineering office to make the coffin, because there are no funeral parlors in Camotes that sells ready-made caskets.

Petty Officer 1 Leonides Magalong, detachment commander of the Philippine Coastguard, yesterday said that the search and rescue operation will continue today for the possible recovery of the two missing persons.

Magalong said that their operation will still focus on the capsized motorboat for the possibility that the missing persons are still trapped inside.

He also advised people from nearby barangays to immediately report to their detachment if these missing persons will show up in their areas. — with Flor Z. Perolina/NLQ