Priest, 3 other passengers of distressed motor banca rescued in northern Cebu

CEBU CITY – The Philippine Coastguard in Central Visayas (PCG-7) rescued a priest and three other passengers of a motor banca that experienced engine trouble while on the waters of Barangay Tacup, San Remegio town in northern Cebu early on Friday.

Julius Regner, information officer of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said the group left Barangay Tacup at 8 a.m. for Bantayan Island.

On board the motor banca were the parish priest of Barangay Labusan, San Remegio town; his altar boy; and the two motor banca crew members.

Regner said the priest, whose name they are still trying to verify, was on his way to Bantayan Island to officiate Mass.

They boarded the motor banca in Barangay Tacup at 8 a.m., but it experienced engine problems shortly after they left the port.

Regner said the group called for assistance two hours later. The PCG sent 10 personnel to rescue the priest and his companions.

Regner is asking the public to heed PCG’s advise against sea travel because of the rough seas in Northern Cebu caused by Tropical Depression “Usman.”

Usman is expected to make landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar tonight and may also make landfall in Northern Cebu between 8 p.m. and midnight. /ee

READ: E. Visayas braces for ‘Usman’ impact