Search on for man who jumped off pump boat

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard in Mandaue City has opened a search and rescue operation on a man who jumped off a pump boat that collided with a RoRo-type vessel in Consolacion town at 4 a.m. yesterday.

The missing man was identified as Laurence Aroa, 40, a resident of Tugbongan, Consolacion.

Quoting the statement of Robert Pastorita, the captain of L/CT Aleesa, Seaman Second Class Paquito Esarsa said Pastorita’s team did not notice the pump boat ridden by Aroa and the boat’s owner, Bernardo Vercede, 35, coming to their direction because the pump boat allegedly did not have lights.

The L/CT Aleesa still reportedly tried to steer clear of the pump boat’s path but the short distance between the two boats made the move futile.

Vercede reportedly admitted that M/V Vercede did not have its lights on at that time and due to panic, he and Aroa decided to jump to sea to avoid getting hurt in the impending collision.

Vercede said the crew of L/CT Aleesa fished him out of the water but Aroa reportedly did not surface.

Esarsa said Aroa’s family sought the Coast Guard’s assistance for a search and rescue at 9 a.m. yesterday. Aroa remained missing as of yesterday afternoon. (FREEMAN)