Pump boat missing in Mindanao seas

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro — Eight passengers and three crew members of a motorized banca were reported missing after it failed to arrive in Palawan since they left port here early Friday morning, Philippine Coast Guard official said.

Commander Rufino Velasco, Coast Guard station commander of San Jose, said Ceasar Abriera, owner of M/B St. Fatima reported the missing pump boat which was headed to Coron, Palawan from Mindoro.

Abriera said he was constantly communicating with his crew through text messages when they left San Jose port at around 4:30 a.m. but their communication was cut-off at around 6:30 a.m.

Velasco identified the passengers as Arwin Dalisay, Rueino Javier, Romel Magtibay, Ben Velasquez, Manolino Velasquez, Roselle Claveria, Reynaldo Monterey and Ronato Gilman, all employees of M4 Construction and Maintenance Services, a contractor of Smart Telecommunications Company based in San Pascual, Batangas.

The three crew members were Lauro Malibiran, boat captain, Rudy Malibiran and a certain Roy.

Velasco said he alerted all Coast Guard stations in Mindoro, Palawan and Batangas to report sightings of the missing pump boat.

The Philippine Air Force 505th Rescue Squadron also joined the search and rescue operation and is now scouring the areas.

No reports, however, were received as of press time yesterday. —  With Edu Punay