MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued the captain and nine passengers of an overloaded fishing banca off Hagutapay Wharf in Camotes, Cebu early Monday.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the PCG said the boat’s captain, Ronald Fabroa, allowed nine passengers -- including three children -- to board his fishing banca around 4 a.m.
However, it said the boat started to sink slowly while in transit from Barangay Daan Paz in Camotes to Barangay Puertobello in Tudela, Cebu as the fishing banca was only capable of carrying one person.
“Nang matanggap ang report mula sa isang concerned citizen, agad na dineploy ng PCG Station Camotes ang kanilang search and rescue (SAR) team (When a report from a concerned citizen was received, the PCG Station Camotes immediately deployed its SAR team),” the PCG said.
After the operation, it said the 10 rescued individuals were taken to the coast of Sitio Lower Saura, in Barangay Puertobello for medical assistance.
“Sa tulong ng mga opisyales ng Barangay Puertobello, ligtas na nakauwi ang mga pasahero sa kani-kanilang tahanan (With the help of officials of Barangay Puertobello, the passengers have all gotten home safely),” the PCG said.
Meanwhile, Fabroa was taken to the PCG Station Camotes for further investigation into the incident. (PNA)