8 dead, 4 missing as boat capsizes off Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines – At least eight people died while four children remain missing after a passenger boat capsized off Iloilo province at noon yesterday, the police reported.

In a phone interview, Western Visayas police (Region 6) director Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas said passenger pump boat Role IV capsized off Barangay Maliogliog in Concepcion town around noon.

Cuevas could not yet say how many people were onboard the pump boat.

He said the incident occurred after the boat was “hit by a tornado,” based on the report of the chief of police in Concepcion.

The Coast Guard Public Information Office in Manila said the Role IV just came from the Concepcion Feeder Port when the accident occurred at the vicinity of Bagongon Island.

The Coast Guard has already sent personnel from its detachment in Ajuy town to look for the missing.

The accident occurred two days after passenger ferry M/B Don Dexter Cathlyn capsized off Masbate province and police could not yet account the victims from the ill-fated passenger ferry.

The boat capsized after encountering a “sudden gust of wind” and big waves. Authorities said more than 100 people survived the incident but 42 people were killed and authorities are still looking for nine others.     – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Antonieta Lopez