Banca capsizes; all 12 passengers safe

CEBU, Philippines - A motorized banca loaded with 12 passengers capsized at the Hilutungan Channel about 2:00 in the morning yesterday due to big waves and strong winds.

Commander Rolando Punzalan Jr., Chief of the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu, said all of those aboard the vessel were safe after they were rescued by fishermen who happened to pass by the area.

Punzalan said that three of the 12 passengers identified as Junnifer Noynoy, Moises Abayan and Jhunrey Eramil were able to swim towards the shoreline of the Plantation Bay resort in Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City where they sought assistance.

All nine passengers left in the seawaters including the boat captain Adelo Abayan, Rodillo Espra, Inyang Manilig, Yacko Espra, Rene Sumalinog, Pablo Mallado, Eramil Aniana

Cresencio Abaño and Juven Paran were among of those who were rescued by fishermen.

All of them are from Caohagan Island, Lapu-Lapu City.

Investigation of the Cebu Coast Guard revealed that victims were aboard the Green Island motorized banca and were heading back to Caohagan Island from mainland Lapu-Lapu City when the incident happened.

Caohagan Island is about 30 minutes to an hour’s boat ride from Barangay Marigondon port or from Dapdap port in Barangay Mactan.

Punzalan said that all of them left Caohagan on Saturday afternoon to attend the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Night at the Lapu-Lapu City auditorium.

They reportedly left the event an hour after midnight before the incident happened.

The Lapu-Lapu City Police Station which primarily received the alarm immediately radioed the Coast Guard detachment in Mandaue City who also responded to the alarm at about 4:00 in the morning.

All victims were taken to Olango Island before they proceeded to Caohagan where their families were waiting.

Punzalan said that although the incident is still under investigation, what’s important was that there was no casualty.

“Ang importante naman ay lahat sila okay na at walang dinala sa hospital,” he said. — (FREEMAN)