• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Nine passengers of a capsized pump boat were rescued within the territorial waters of EB Magalona in Negros Occidental, on February 4.
The pump boat of nine individuals, seven of which are residents of Manapla, Negros Occidental, and two others from Ajuy, Iloilo, capsized past midnight of Feb. 3, while on their way to the town of Manapla.
The boat’s occupants were all rescued by members of a rescue group and volunteers within the territorial waters of barangays Tomongtong and Gahit, all in EB Magalona.
Prior to their rescue, they were spotted, clinging to the capsized boat, by several EB Magalona fishermen who were harvesting blue crabs in the town’s municipal waters.
Investigations of the Philippine Coast Guard showed that the motorboat they had been riding capsized due to unfavorable weather conditions brought about by the northeast monsoon.
The capsized boat was also discovered by the PCG to have been unregistered.
Rescued were Jaynard Bito, Nickie Salbadeco, Angelo Hernal, Larry and Jorick Clasusan, Nelson and Jeremy Marcelino, all residents of Manapla, as well as Elvis Libijano and Reniel Pandan, both of Ajuy, Iloilo.
All of them, who are in stable condition, were immediately endorsed by members of the EB Magalona Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to the LGUs of Manapla and Ajuy, a report of the Philippine Coast Guard said.*
