Search operations for missing cop terminated

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Search operations for the missing police officer on a sunken boat was called off on May 13, 2020.

In a statement, Mayor Rigil Kent Lim of Caluya, Antique said that Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) Operation for Police Corporal Mark Anthony Alejandro was terminated Wednesday “considering that all agencies that are involved in the operation retreated back to their respective points of origin having completed the protocol operations.”

Unlike rescuers from different agencies, Lim said that the local government of Caluya has no available WASAR facility.

Despite the available resources at hand, “everybody failed to retrieve the body of Corporal Alejandro. What the LGU can do is to continue the coordination and monitoring in the barangays of the possible hopes of locating him,” he said.

Lim said that the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO), in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Caluya Police Station, is tasked to undergo all possible coordination and monitoring with all island barangays including nearby LGUs around the municipality.

“We keep on praying for the possible retrieval of his body taking into consideration the welfare of his family. His children are too young to be away from his father and we commit our utmost support for whatever possible assistance we can extend to his family,” Lim said.

He said Caluya would continue to acknowledge Alejandro’s contribution in maintaining public order and safety of the municipality.

Lim has cited the missing cop’s persistent implementation of the Municipal Traffic Ordinance, which helps lessen motorcycle accidents and protection of minors as one of his greatest contributions for Caluya.

Alejandro was popularly known as the strict policeman “and the LGU had recognized such contribution for he serves as an epitome of a true police officer,” he said.

Alejandro went missing while his four companions survived after their speed boat sank morning of May 8, 2020 in seawaters bordering the islands of Sibolo and Liwagao in Caluya, Antique.

Rescued were Police Staff Sergeant Albert Francisco, Patrolman Allan Sabano, Petty Officer 3rd Class Kim Dayalo, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Jerald Ligan.

The five were on board a fiberglass PCG boat that served as convoy/escort motorbanca for Lim, who was on another pump boat to deliver relief goods to the town’s coastal villages.

Lim said that incentives and rewards shall be given to all survivors and even to Alejandro for their heroism in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, Lim believed that greater rewards can be achieved if they can find PCPL Alejandro alive.

“Let’s keep on praying for his safety and recovery. This challenge is somehow harder and we are deeply affected by this incident,” he said.

Lim also thanked the Caluya town’s partners and stakeholders who gave their support in the conduct of search and rescue operation.

He particularly mentioned Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda for sending the assistance group to help in the operation and the motherly concern for the constant monitoring.

He also acknowledged the help of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force from Iloilo and Cebu, PCG Boracay and Caticlan Maritime Police for taking all the means in utilizing all their facilities and equipment for the purpose; the Semirara Mining and Power Corporation for generously extending all necessary assistance in the SAR both air and water; and to Barangay Semirara WASAR responders for actively sustaining their efforts toward the operation.