3 killed as banca capsizes in Laguna Lake

MANILA, Philippines - Three people died when the banca they were riding, capsized at the Laguna de Bay due to big waves brought about by heavy rains Tuesday in Binangonan town in Rizal province.

The victims were identified as Joemar Radam, 18, of Cainta, Rizal, and Junie Baroso, 35, and Bernard Mondalis, 40, of San Carlos City in Pangasinan.

Their bodies were recovered and were taken into custody by their respective relatives, police said.

Police said the victims came from a fiesta celebration from Talim Island and were on their way home the banca they were in, the M’B Arzon, loaded with more than 40 passengers sank off the coast of Laguna de Bay, some 700 meters away from the Pritil wharf at about 4:20 a.m.

The passengers started to panic when big waves battered the banca, and seawaters flooded some of its portions.

The passengers were rushing to get hold of life vests when the banca tilted to its side and capsized, police said.

The Philippine Coast Guard responded to the scene and rescued at least 45 of the passengers.

Meanwhile, weather officials said tropical storm Domeng has weakened into a tropical depression on Thursday as it moved toward west, southwest of Basco, Batanes.

They said that Domeng should be located 50 kms. north of Aparri, Cagayan today and will be near the vicinity of Ilocos Norte tomorrow. – Non Alquitran, Jaime Laude, Evelyn Macairan