Rescued by cokaliong ship: 28 saved after boat capsizes

CEBU, Philippines –  Twenty-eight passengers and crew of a capsized motorized banca were rescued by two passing vessels past 6 a.m. yesterday in the waters between Bohol and Cebu but one of the rescuers lost his right foot while trying to save the passengers.

Last Friday night the M/B Mansan left Kalitoban Island, Talibon, Bohol, past 9 p.m. headed for Barangay Pasil, Cebu City. When it did not arrive as expected between midnight to 1 a.m. yesterday the relatives of passengers started to get worried.

The passengers rescued from the M/B Mansan were identified as Marissa Otara, 42; Gaudisia Largo, 52; Elping Torreon, 65; Achilito Rabadon, 37; Kany Torifel, 48; Marilyn Almacin, 48; Nilo Torion, 48; Rodrigo Oligao, 50; Danielita Gabison, 40; Danilo Paterna, 50; Julito Pano, 34; Raffy Misig, 12; Cocoy Daan, 44; Neboy Cabanoba, 35; Josephine Abenasa, 45; Jomar Mabuyo, 25; Carmelita Mihiyas, 60; Abunia Cabantay, 61; Gorgonia Cañete, 65; Pedrosa Torreon, 59; Junior Badal, 38. They were rescued by the crew of M/V Filipinas Dinagat.

Norberto Aparici, 41, captain of the M/B Mansan, and his crew Saturnino Abapo, 46; Jushua Mark Abapo, 23; Antonio Cabantogan, 43; Joseph Mark Simacon, 25; and Vernie Torion 23, were detained at the Waterfront Police Station upon the request of the Philippine Coast Guard-7 officials.

Rudyard Payusan, 48, chief mate of LCT Golden Crescent, was injured after he jumped into the sea to try to help passengers struggling in the water. His right foot caught on a cable and was severed.

Missed call

Hadelin Torreon, the daughter of a survivor, said that she missed a call from her mother Pedrosa, at around Friday midnight and was informed by an acquaintance that the M/B Mansan had sunk.

She and he boyfriend went right away to Pier 1 to check for news. There Mark Stephen Almacin, son of survivor Marilyn, said that his brother told him that he was starting to worry why their mother’s phone could not be contacted.

He added that he was told that the motorbanca sank between Cebu and Bohol shortly before midnight.

Torreon and Almacin were supposed to deliver fish, seashells, and other marine products from Kalitoban Island to Pasil. Most of the passengers were fish traders who were supposed to bring their produce to various public markets in Cebu.

Crewman Saturnino Abapo said the captain pushed for them to sail even when the weather was not ideal.

“Naanad na man lang mi og byahi bisan og habagat sir, nibyahi na lang ang kapitan kay taas pa man og lutaw,” Abapo said.

Crewman Vernie Torion said that when they reached the waters near Caubian Island, Lapu-Lapu City, the nylon rope tied to the outrigger snapped, causing the vessel to sink shortly before midnight.

The passengers and the crew managed to cling on the outrigger and the debris in the cold water for almost six hours until they were seen by the crew of LCT Golden Crescent early morning yesterday.

LCT Golden Crescent’s crew jumped into the sea to save the passengers however only one was saved after Pasuyan was injured. The passenger, a woman, was unidentified as of last night.

Crewman Arnold Arado of M/V Filipinas Dinagat said that when they saw the passengers of the motorized banca they immediately joined the rescue effort around 6:45 a.m. yesterday. It took them almost two hours to rescue all the passengers and crew because of the strong wind and waves.

“Lisod kaayo sir oy, kay mopaduol na mi sa mga naglangoy mapadpad na man sad mi nya mapadpad na man sad sila,” Arado said.

Payusan, who had to join the passengers holding on to the floundering banca, was also rescued and taken aboard at M/V Filipinas Dinagat for immediately medical assistance.

Chase Cokaliong, vice president for fleet operations of Cokaliong Shipping Lines, said that after the passengers and the crew of the motorbanca were rescued they were given hot coffee, instant noodles and water to prevent hypothermia.

M/V Filipinas Dinagat left the port of Surigao City at around 7 p.m. Friday and was supposed to dock at Pier 1 early morning Saturday but was delayed by rough seas.

After M/V Filipinas Dinagat docked safely at Pier 1 yesterday morning the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council led by Councilor Dave Tumulak took Payusan from the ship and rushed him to a private hospital via ambulance.

The rescued passengers were boarded into a Kaoshiung bus and placed under stress debriefing while the crew was brought to the Coast Guard office. They were later detained at the Waterfront Police Station upon request of the PCG said Senior Police Officer 1 Aaron Pescadero, desk officer of the police station.

In 2010, M/V Filipinas Iloilo towed M/V Georich of George and Peter Lines carrying 500 passengers and crew while in 2011 M/V Filipinas Cebu rescued M/V Asia Malaysia of Trans Asia Shipping carrying 110 passengers and 45 crew on board. These actions earned Cokaliong Shipping Lines an award during the 110th founding anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Possible Charges

PCG-7 Chief of Staff Commander Weniel Azcuna, said that they are contemplating charging the crew and owner of M/B Mansan for having sailed at night which is prohibited by law.

“Malamang hindi registered, kay dili man pwede mobyahi ang mga motorized banca kung gabii, sa daytime ra pwede,” Azcuna said.  

For now the Coast Guard 7 will be filing a charge for reckless imprudence resulting to physical injury against the crew and the owner.

The Coast Guard District Central Visayas prevented 17 vessels and 22 motorbancas from travelling and 1,818 passengers were stranded as of 3 p.m. yesterday. Vessels coming from different parts of Bohol were also not allowed to travel to Cebu.

CGDCV commander Enrico Efren Evangelista said that the cancellation of trips was due to an unfavorable weather and sea condition as well as a gale warning issued by PAGASA.

Since Saturday morning, huge waves have been observed at the Mactan Channel in Cebu while strong winds were blowing from the south. — With Dale G. Israel, correspondent/BRP (FREEMAN)