Still no travel clearance: Another motor banca capsizes in Tañon

CEBU, Philippines - A day after a motorized banca tipped to its side off Negros Oriental the other day, another motorized banca capsized in Tañon Strait yesterday morning.

The incident happened around 2am.

The Mary Sunshine motor banca was transporting newspapers to San Carlos City in Negros island when it met big waves off Barangay Bato, Toledo City. The waves cracked the vessel’s bow (the front part), forcing all men aboard to abandon ship.

The men were identified as Mario Montemayor, 45, a barangay captain in Barili town; Edgardo Casilac, 46, a barangay engineer from San Carlos City; Lendon Carcusia, 28, of Toledo City; and Marlon Manigos, 24, of San Carlos City.

Carcusia and Manigos are both utility workers. Montemayor was the boat’s skipper.

 Rolando Punzalan, Philippine Coast Guard Commanding Officer, said the four men swam using lifejackets until they were rescued by Coast Guard personnel near Barangay Bato, Toledo City. Punzalan said all of them are now safe and are in good condition.

The four men were taken to the Toledo City District Hospital on board the barangay ambulance accompanied by Bato Barangay Captain Leonilo Pama.

 Carmelita Cristuta, owner of the motor banca, said the Coast Guard in Toledo City immediately rented three motor bancas and launched a search and rescue operation upon learning of the incident.

Despite what they have gone through, Punzalan said the four men may be facing possible sanctions for failing to secure clearance from the Coast Guard. A Maritime Violence Receipt will be sent to the Marina.

“They should have informed us so that if there are incidents at least alam namin na merong umalis at kung anong vessel ang hindi nakarating,” Punzalan told The FREEMAN.

He added that operator of any vessel should exercise prudence and diligence.

“If hindi kaya ng sasakyan to travel better turn back and not proceed,” he said. Punzalan appealed to motor banca owners to follow protocol to avoid similar incidents.

Last Saturday afternoon, the motor banca Agape tipped to its side owing to severe weather. The vessel was transporting relief goods to Negros Oriental, including 50 sacks of rice and several dozens of mineral water. Red Cross workers were also on board.

All 50 passengers aboard were safe after they were rescued by the PCG personnel.

The Coast Guard will open an inquiry into the incident after it found out that the vessel’s operator failed to seek clearance to travel.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has advised fishing boats and small sea crafts not to venture out to sea.

The other day, the weather bureau said the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao will experienced rough to very rough seas due to a Low Pressure Area spotted 230 kilometers East Southeast of Hinatuan City. — (FREEMAN)