Two missing, 15 rescued after boat capsizes

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two persons were reported missing, while 15 others were rescued after their pumpboat capsized amid the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Paeng” in Negros Occidental on Saturday.

In Cauayan town, Peter Neil Perarin, 32, of Barangay Guiljungan was missing after his boat capsized when it was hit by huge waves last Saturday.

Despite the bad weather, Police Major Gary Alan Resuma, Cauayan town police chief, said that Perarin and his companion went fishing that afternoon.

However, Perarin’s companion managed to swim to the shoreline and was rescued, while the victim is still missing as of 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, according to Resuma.

In Isabela town, Police Captain Joseph Partidas, municipal police chief, confirmed that Regie Fernandez’s body was found at Sitio Nueva España around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30.

Fernandez, 33, of Barangay Riverside, went missing after he probably fell from an “overflow bridge” at Crossing Cab-cab, Barangay Cab-cab.

Partidas said the victim came from a drinking session with his co-worker in the adjacent barangay and was on his way home on a motorcycle when heavy rainfall fell Saturday night.

The following day, his motorcycle was already damaged when found by some bystanders who passed by the overflow.

In Sagay City, 15 persons, including a boat captain and a crew, were rescued after their pumpboat capsized in the waters of Barangay Molocaboc last Saturday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Indiape Jr., Sagay City police chief, said that the owner of a private motorized pumpboat and the boat captain may be held liable for the incident since they still decided to transport 13 passengers despite the storm.

Indiape said that huge waves hit their boat due to strong winds caused by the storm. Fortunately, all of them were rescued safely and sent home.

TORNADO

Meanwhile, in Hinigaran town, three construction workers were wounded after a tornado destroyed their bunkhouses in Barangay 1 last Saturday.

According to Christian Grijaldo of Hinigaran Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), strong winds wiped out the bunkhouses while the victims were reportedly resting around 7:12 a.m.

“Gin haboy sila sa dalom kung diin may gina obra na diversion road,” he added.

Grijaldo said the three victims suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital.