Authorities recover body of missing person from capsized boat in Capiz

Authorities recover the body of a missing individual in a river in Barangay Salocon, Panitan, Capiz on Friday, April 15, 2022. (Photo from Coast Guard Station Roxas)

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities recovered on Friday the body of an individual who was among those who had gone missing after their motorized banca capsized in Panitan, Capiz.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Facebook that the body was recovered in a river in Barangay Salocon.

Citing the local government unit (LGU) in Panitan, the PCG said the individual was among the five persons who have gone missing after their boat capsized on April 13.

According to reports, 12 people, including officials of Barangay Balatucan who collected relief goods for their residents affected by former Tropical Storm Agaton, were onboard a motorized banca on Wednesday. However, the boat reportedly suffered engine trouble, prompting them to ask for help from another passing motorized banca with six passengers.

Both motorized bancas capsized after they rammed into a post of a bridge in Panay River due to strong current. Thirteen passengers were rescued.

Aside from PCG, members of the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, LGU, and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management are participating in the search and retrieval operation for the missing individuals.

Based on the latest situational report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 137 persons have been reported dead, 28 are still missing, and eight have been injured due to “Agaton.”

After whipping parts of Visayas and Mindanao, “Agaton” weakened into a low pressure area on Tuesday and completely dissipated on Wednesday.