4 cops, 5 DSWD staff rescued in sea mishap

CEBU, Philippines - At least 14 people, including policemen, social workers and crew members of a motor banca, were rescued two hours after their pump boat capsized off Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

Fishermen from Bohol rescued SPO1 Leah Polistico, PO1 Otelio Ilustrisimo, PO1 Bashir Boriongan, and PO1 Francis Baculi all members of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Also rescued with them were Debie Mae Arante, Corazon Lao, Grace Gumpay and Chelle Jane Catacutan, employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development assigned in the 4Ps program.

Gumpay said they boarded a passenger banca at the Hilton Wharf in Barangay Punta Engaño to Barangay Caw-oy in Olango Island at 8:00 am.

From Olango Island, they transferred to a small banca bound for Caubian to validate the new beneficiaries of 4Ps.

The policemen who were with them are also scheduled to attend a drug awareness seminar in the island.

Gumpay said that the big waves battered the motor banca, causing it to capsize.

She said all of them clung onto the ill-fated boat to stay afloat until they were rescued by fishermen from Bohol.

According to Gumpay, the fishermen were hesitant to help them at first because the policemen fired their guns to draw attention and get help.

 â€œWala naman gyud laing nahimo ang among kauban nga polis mao nga nagpabuto nalang sila sa ilang mga armas aron makakuha sa mga atensyon sa mananagat, pero ang uban nangahadlok wala dayon miduol (We did not have a choice, the policemen were forced to fire their guns to get the attention of the fishermen but some of them were frightened),” Gumpay said.

Gumpay said a group of fishermen from Bohol who happened to be fishing in the area helped them out.

All of them were in good physical condition but some of their personal belongings were lost and damaged.

Among those damaged were a laptop, camera, and cellphones.

“Kuyawan name abi namo ug mao na kadto ang among katapusan (We were afraid because we thought that would have been the end for us),”said Gumpay.

The fishermen brought them back to Hilton Wharf in Punta Engaño. — /FPL (FREEMAN)