Boat sinks off Sulu; 5 dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Five persons died while 36 others were missing when a passenger boat sinks off Sulu last Thursday.

Four of the fatalities were identified as Sarnan Sarail, Maligam Sarail, Manilyn Julhadi Hamsara, and a certain Hamsara.

Quoting reports from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Sulu, Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command, said the M/B Wilfaiza sunk at around 11 a.m. off Parang town.

The boat was carrying 64 persons during the incident, when its capacity was only 30 to 50 passengers.

Aside from the passengers, the vessel was reportedly loaded with construction materials such as cement bags and steel bars, and sacks of rice.

Meanwhile, charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide might be lodged against the operator of the M/B Wilfaiza, said William Arquero, acting PCG spokesman.

Arquero said the boat was reportedly owned by a certain Wilson Ani of Siasi in Jolo. Ani’s brother-in-law, Abraham Daud, was reportedly the operator of the boat.

Arquero said the boat’s crew failed to seek clearance from the PCG before they sailed and the boat’s documents, issued by the Maritime Industry Authority, were expired.

Reports reaching the PCG head office showed that the boat departed from the Jun Di Lan Chinese Pier in Jolo toward Tapul Island.