PCG reports 1 dead, 3 rescued in cargo vessel sinking

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard yesterday said that one engineer has been reported dead and three others have been rescued, including the ship captain, when a cargo vessel loaded with steel bars sank in the vicinity of Dos Hermanas Islands, Romblon province early Saturday morning.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Arman Balilo said that an engineer of the M/V SF Freighter, who has yet to be identified, has been reported dead. While the vessel’s skipper Julito Cortejos, assistant engineer Joseph Jabonite Jr. and crane operator Jerry Cortez were rescued.

Cortejos, Cortez and the lone fatality were all rescued in General Luna, Quezon province. Jabonite was seen in Catanauan, Quezon province.

Balilo said that they have already dispatched an islander, a helicopter and the BRP Pampanga to conduct further search and rescue mission at the site of the maritime mishap. The PCG also sent out Notice to Mariners (Notam) to alert other vessels, traversing in the area, to be on the lookout for the still missing 12 crewmen.

Initial information reaching the PCG headquarters showed that at around 8:30 p.m. of Aug. 5, the vessel, owned by Seaford Shipping Co., left Manila. It was on its way to Cebu. On Aug. 7 the 498 gross ton M/V SF Freighter, which was carrying steel bars, reportedly encountered rough waters upon reaching 11 nautical miles from Semira Island in Romblon.

Cortejos decided to alter its course to take shelter in Marinduque when its engine conked out at around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday in the vicinity of Dos Hermanas Island. Their situation became more precarious since the strong winds and big waves pushed the vessel, which floated on water, started tilting sideways and in the verge of sinking.

The skipper declared an abandon ship. The 16 officers and crew divided themselves into two groups and boarded the two lifeboats and they donned their life jackets.

The cargo ship sank. But the lifeboats, with the men on board, were still battered by the big waves and it was at this point when they got separated from each other. 

Balilo said that the ship captain managed to call Seaford Shipping manager Heden Chua, who then informed the PCG in Western Visayas and sought its assistance.

In related developments, the PCG yesterday reported that the 12 teachers who were earlier repored missing on Friday when the motor banca they were riding sank in San Miguel Island in Albay, have already been rescued by a passing vessel.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said that the passing motor banca M/B John Myka rescued the 12 teachers namely Ma. Jessa Valenzuela, Carmila Bataller, Imelda Casitas, Glenda Brizuela, Rden Burce, Homer Borlasa, Anecia Burac, Analyn Viola, Joan Boragay, Emma Valera, Irna Burce, and Adrian Burac. All are residents of Tabaco City in Albay.

Initial information reaching the PCG headquarters showed that Arcenio Borbor, principal of Barangay Maliktay Elementary School in San Miguel Island in Tabaco Albay, reported that an unnamed banca left San Miguel Island and was on its way to Tobaco when it sank some 500 yards west of Barangay Maliktay.

On board the vessel were the 12 teachers. – With Alexis Romero