‘Domeng’ strands 1,700 passengers in Bicol ports

LEGAZPI CITY — More than 1,700 passengers got stranded in nine Bicol ports yesterday as authorities halted sea travel with the onslaught of tropical storm "Domeng."

Storm warning signals were raised yesterday in Bicol and the Visayas as "Domeng," packing winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, was spotted at 40 kms southeast of Romblon at 2 p.m.

Capt. Luis Tuason Jr., Coast Guard district commander for Bicol, said 1,553 passengers were stranded in Matnog, Pilar and Bulan, all in Sorsogon; 155 in Tabaco City, Albay; 20 in Virac, Catanduanes; and 18 in Sabang and Pasacao, both in Camarines Sur.

Tuason said Coast Guard commanders in Bicol were under strict orders to ensure the safety of passengers to avoid a repeat of the sinking of MB Mae Ann 5 last May 11 off Barangay Kinamaligan in Masbate City due to heavy waves spawned by tropical storm "Caloy."

The sea tragedy left 21 passengers dead and five injured. Thirteen others survived the mishap.

Some 500 other passengers bound for Romblon and Mindoro were stranded in the Batangas port.

Meanwhile, a ferry carrying construction materials capsized off Capul Island in Northern Samar Saturday, the Coast Guard said.

Two passengers of M/V BLYT, identified as Bernard Guela, 21, and Joseph Magdarog, 22, were reported missing. Twenty-two others, who had managed to cling on to the capsized vessel for nearly 14 hours, were rescued. — With Edu Punay, James Mananghaya and Arnell Ozaeta