Body of 1 of 3 missing in sea mishap is found

ILOILO CITY—Search teams have recovered the remains of one of three missing passengers of a motorboat that capsized in Carles town in Iloilo province on Jan. 1.

But the whereabouts of two other passengers, whose bodies were earlier spotted near an island, are still unknown, according to the Coast Guard.

Lt. Commander Dominador Senador III, Coast Guard Iloilo station commander, said the body of Vincent Bartolome was recovered on Tuesday between Nabunut and Manigo-nigo Islands in Carles after it was spotted by a fisherman.

Bartolome, 15, was among 11 passengers of motorbanca “Reynaldo,” which capsized near Nabunut Island after encountering rough waters and strong winds.

Five passengers survived and the bodies of three other fatalities had been recovered.

Search and recovery teams were still looking for the bodies of Anthony Bartolome, 14, and Jay-R Besonia.