2 dead in sea mishap off Northern Samar town

INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — Two persons died while five others were rescued after a motorboat capsized due to huge waves off Barangay Rawis in Laoang town, Northern Samar on Monday, Dec. 30.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) substation in Laoang received a report from a concerned resident at 3:50 a.m. about the presence of two dead bodies and survivors along the coast.

The PCG launched a search, rescue, and retrieval operation.

Initial investigation revealed that the passengers departed from Barangay Rawis on a motorboat at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, heading towards Batag Island in Laoang town.

However, the motorboat was struck by strong waves, causing it to overturn.

The fatalities were identified as Jocelyn Irinco, 50, and Aurora Mengullo, 68.

The survivors were identified as motorboat operator Nelson Castante, 19; Darwin Castante, 18; Salvacion Irinco, 28; Arlito Acedera, 58; and Elmer Acedera, 30 — all residents of Barangay Sulitan, Catubig.

The bodies of the deceased were brought to the rural health unit in Laoang for post-mortem examination, while the survivors were taken to the hospital for medical attention.