Man ‘high on drugs’ jumps off ship, saved

CEBU, Philippines – An 18-year-old man believed to be high on drugs reportedly jumped off a ship that was about to depart in Bagacay Point in Liloan, Cebu yesterday afternoon.

Glebon Jay Khobuntin, a native of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental, was rescued by the ship crew around 3:12 p.m., said Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Cebu District Commander of Philippine Coast Guard.

Khobuntin and his friend Alfredo Cresencio were onboard M/V St. John Paul II bound for Manila from Cebu. They came from Cagayan de Oro City and took the connecting ride in Cebu.

At the time the incident happened, Evangelista said, the ship was about to depart Bagacay Point.

“The victim jumped off at around 2:15 p.m. and it took an hour to save him because he told the rescuers he did not want to be rescued,” Evangelista told The FREEMAN.

Evangelista said right after the vessel crew rescued Khobuntin, the latter was taken to the ship’s clinic to receive medical attention.

The physician onboard the vessel checked Khobuntin and found him to be “on drugs,” Evangelista added.

“He was billeted inside a cabin (of the ship) guarded by security personnel. When he (seemed to have) recovered, the vessel continued its voyage to Manila,” Evangelista said.

Evangelista advised all captains and crew in either big or small ships that they should be always watchful with what their passengers do inside the vessels. (FREEMAN)