15 fishermen saved from capsized boat

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – All 15 crewmembers of a fishing boat that capsized between the waters of Masbate province and Olotayan Island here Wednesday morning were rescued and in good condition.

According to Richard Dela Cruz, boat captain of F/B Danrose which is owned by Lito Blances of Barangay Culasi here, he and 14 crew members went fishing in Masbate evening of Feb. 21.

But they decided to return to Roxas City around 12 a.m. on Feb 22 because of bad weather.

A few minutes later, a big wave hit the boat which later took in water until it capsized.

They literally clung to dear life by using a broken part of the boat as a floater. Two rescue boats of the Philippine Coast Guard spotted and rescued them around 6:30 a.m.

They were taken to the barangay halls of Buntod and Agojo in Panay town and were given food and clothes.

The other 14 crew members were:

1. Ricky Escinilian
2. Ronald Arellano
3. John Paul Banato
4. Joselito Rubio
5. Lendon Torres
6. Danilo Fatagani
7. Alberto Barlas
8. Orly Ara
9. Judymar Besonia
10. Dody Luna
11. Bernie Alcala
12. Jeonald Lacorte
13. Judy Besonia, and
14. Judy Besonia Jr.

The rescued fishermen were all residents of Brgy. Culasi, Roxas City