Bad weather hampers rescue efforts

THE MV LADY of Mount Carmel docked at the port of Masbate on its maiden voyage on June 11. The ferry sank at dawn on June 14 in the calm waters off Burias Island, 307 kilometers south of Manila. CONTRIBUTED BY NERI JAZUL

LEGAZPI CITY—The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol has stopped its search and rescue (SAR) operation for seven missing passengers of the MV Lady of Mount Carmel that sank off Burias Island in Masbate on Friday and transferred the task of monitoring shorelines in the coastal villages of Aroroy town in Masbate to the community for floating  bodies or debris.

Bernardo Rafael Alejandro, OCD-Bicol head, said during the assessment conference here on Monday that the SAR ended upon the recommendation of the commanders of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force Tactical Operation Group V composite group that carried out the search operations.

“I believe we have used up our best efforts since the first day of operation and so far, our efforts have failed to find those missing,” said Commodore Aaron Reconquista, PCG commander in Bicol.

He said the 94-ton ferry that sank off the waters of Aguja point, some 11 nautical miles from the port of Aroroy, was carrying 70 passengers, of whom 57 were in the manifest while 13 were not listed.

Two women died when the vessel sank while the seven missing were identified as Abegail Barredo, Noan Manocan, Fe Rapsing, Leticia Andaya, Jocelyn Danao and Ariane and Jonas Comedor.

Alejandro said the SAR had been carried out extensively for the past three days, surpassing the normal 48-hour timeline for missing victims.

He said bad weather for the next three days due to Tropical Depression “Emong” would endanger the lives of members of the rescue team.

Alejandro said at least two islander planes and three helicopters, four sea vessels and two motor bancas were used during the three-day SAR operation.

He said the search covered some 400 square kilometers while the air assets consumed 15 hours of flying time.

In Manila, survivor Lope Julbitado, whose wife Erlinda died during the sinking of the  vessel, is studying what charges to file against the ferry  management. With a report from Kristine Felisse Mangunay in Manila