17 missing, 43 rescued in sea mishaps

MANILA, Philippines — Seventeen crewmembers of a landing craft have been reported missing in the waters off Batangas since Saturday.

Capt. Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman, said the Aiva 5, which came from Cebu, reportedly went adrift near Fortune Island after it lost power. 

“We did not receive any distress signal... We did not also receive any communication from them,” Balilo said.  

He said PCG’s Islander plane and BRP Cabra stationed at Cunanan wharf were deployed to Nasugbu to help in search and rescue operations. 

Meanwhile, 43 people, mostly tourists including foreigners, were rescued when their boats capsized in separate incidents in Palawan, Camarines Norte and Samar on Sunday.

Balilo said Jordan 2 with 19 passengers was on its way to Calaguas island when it encountered big waves around five nautical miles off Anggalan Island. 

In Samar, the PCG’s Western Samar quick response team transferred 10 passengers of a motorized boat to a fishing vessel when it sank in the waters off Barangay Darahoway Dako in Catbalogan.

Another boat with 14 passengers sank in El Nido, Palawan. 

Balilo advised those traveling by boat to wear life vests before they leave the port.

“The sea is tricky. It is not yet summer… We should take precautions because the waves without warning suddenly swell up… It could cause boats to tilt, capsize or be half-submerged,” he said.
Balilo said sea travelers should list the contact numbers of the nearest PCG station in case of emergency. He said cell phones should be placed in sealed plastic bags for protection.

 He said PCG stations would establish better communication with other vessels for feedback to determine if there is a need to suspend sea travel. – Cecille Suerte Felipe