Ship hits fishing boat; 1 dead, 6 hurt

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – A passenger vessel hit a fishing boat in Maasim Bay in Sarangani before dawn yesterday, killing a fisherman and injuring six others.

SuperFerry 20 was reportedly leaving the General Santos City port at around 1 a.m. yesterday when it struck the fishing boat M/V San Jose, leaving it in total wreck.

Coast Guard personnel in General Santos City were able to rescue Joseph Gediones; Bryan Enero, 17; Marjun Kirames, 20; Junito Mendoza, 52; Regalado Caceller, 19; and Rex Polawing, 28, all residents of Barangay Labangal in General Santos City.

A certain Jovani Buntong, 60, was initially declared missing but his body was found floating in the bay two hours later, said Cmdr. Nelbert Anniversario, chief of the Coast Guard-General Santos station.

Anniversario said SuperFerry 20 went on with its trip to Zamboanga City before proceeding to Manila.

“We have already coordinated with the Coast Guard office in Zamboanga City to investigate what happened here with the fishing boat when SuperFerry 20 arrives (there),” he said, adding they have gotten in touch with the shipping company on the incident.  – With Evelyn Macairan