Woman who jumped from ship identified

CEBU, Philippines - The woman who jumped off from a boat in the waters near the Camotes island Thursday dawn was identified by family members. 

Ma. Gladys Teves, 41, in an interview with reporters yesterday said her sister Ma. Gretel Enas, 39, had told them she was going to spend a few days in San Jose, Dinagat Island in Surigao to unwind.

She left Cebu last Tuesday evening on board M/V Pilipinas Dinagat of the Cokaliong Shipping on her way to Dinagat Island.

She said Enas first attempted to jump at around 11 p.m. but was thwarted by the ship’s crew.

Teves said the family is dismayed by the crew’s mind-set for failing to keep watch on her. Enas jumped off at around 3 a.m.

Teves said her sister, who was a member of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), had told her before she left that she felt there are many who envied her rice business and internet cafe in barangay Guizo. 

Teves said the other thing that bothered her sister’s mind was the statement of a “quack doctor” who told her that a close friend of hers “maoy nagbinuang niya (was giving her trouble).”

She complained to this “doctor” in April about her goiter.

Enas’ husband denied having marital problems. 

Enas left behind three children aged 3, 4, and 7.

Her body, fished off the seawaters of Hilongos, Leyte yesterday morning by the Coastguard, is expected to arrive today in Cebu.