TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – A 49-year-old female resident of Amulung, Cagayan, among 20 people who had come from a burial, drowned when the motorized boat carrying them capsized amid heavy rainfall off Alcala town last Sunday, authorities said.
Coast Guard personnel have also launched a search for 10 fishermen onboard two boats who have been reported missing since Sunday.
Recto Catuiran, chairman of Barangay Tana in Amulung town, identified the fatality as Dominica Bautista, 49, whose body was fished out by residents of Barangay Maraburab in neighboring Alcala.
The sea mishap occurred as Coast Guard authorities have warned local folk against venturing into the sea due to heavy torrential rains and big waves.
Meanwhile, 20 passengers headed for Camiguin Island in the Babuyan Strait and Maconacon, Isabela have been stranded in the ports of Aparri and Sta. Ana towns in Cagayan. – Raymund Catindig, Charlie Lagasca, Evelyn Macairan