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ILOILO CITY — Three persons died while seven others went missing after two motorboats capsized in the sea off the islands of Boracay and Antique on Monday, Aug, 26.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in Caluya town, Antique identified the fatalities as Christopher Gajero, Marlon Belleca, and Mark “Macmac” Delloro.
Seven others remained missing as of Aug. 29. They were Vic Florendo, Roel Delloro, Zaldy Pacis, Christian Aguilar, Frankie Gajero, Sauro Dellor, and Joseph Delloro.
The survivors claimed that a smaller motor banca capsized while on its way from Boracay Island to Caluya town in Antique due to strong winds and waves on Aug. 26.
A large motor banca tried to help but also capsized.
The Philippine Coast Guard of Caluya, Boracay, and Romblon and the MDRRMO of Malay, Aklan launched a joint search-and-rescue operation for the victims.
Ten of the survivors were identified as Gary Patricio Barrientos, Jonald Catalan Patricio, Rhea Noticion De Vera, Jarenz Bernal, Joseph Terelyos, Frederick Lompero, Luisa Ojano, Alvin Salodes, Arnold Terelyos, and Arnel Belleca.
The search-and-rescue operations are still ongoing to locate the missing persons.
READ: PCG: 30 ‘casualties’ as motorbanca capsizes off Binangonan