20 rescued from capsized motorboat

By Felipe V. Celino 

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – 20 persons were rescued Sunday afternoon from a capsized motor banca that was traversing Olotayan Island to Brgy. Baybay here.

Judy Grace Pelaez, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, said the incident happened at 2:30 pm Sunday.

Pelaez said 15 members of a family and 6 crewmembers of M/B Toto Pen were rescued by volunteers.

The family went island hopping in Olotayan Island and was about to go home when they got stranded near Mantalinga island.

A strong wave hit the boat which caused it to capsize.

Personnel in a watch tower in Baybay area saw the incident and immediately responded.

The rescued passengers from Roxas City were:

1. Jao Altavas, 32
2. J Carlos Salazar, 27
3. Jose Arcenas, 40
4. Jose Alba, 27
5. Karen Arcenas, 41
6. Theo Arcenas, 21
7. Patrick Valenzuela, 25
8. EB Yap, 26
9. Elisha Valenzuela, 22
10. Zaida Alba, 25
11. April Furia, 32
12. Paolo Asis, 26
13. Nadim Altavas, 20
14. Kareza Avol, 25

 

The crewmembers of the motor boat were:

1. Soler Deocampo, 42, (Boat Captain)
2. Mark Dela Cruz
3. Emer Arches
4. Ruel Umiten
5. Christian Carl Deocampo
6. Diasa Trinidad

 

The rescue volunteers that responded to the drowning incident were Philippine Coast Guard Station – Roxas, Capiz Emergency Response Team (CERT), Roxas City Emergency Response Team (RCERT), Roxas City Police Station, among others.