Boat capsizes between Iloilo, Guimaras; 7 killed

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Seven people were killed and two others went missing after a motorboat capsized between Iloilo and Guimaras Sunday afternoon, the Coast Guard said.

Lt. Junior Grade Edison Diaz, commander of the Coast Guard Iloilo station, identified the fatalities as Cora Ganila; Mark Mata, 9; Luke Shile Mata, 6; Christine Daryle Vasquez and Mary Ann Gallego, all passengers of the ill-fated M/B Tawash.

Two crew members: Larry Abilla, 59, and Ruben Gania, 54, also died, Diaz said.

Thirty-two other passengers and crew members of M/B Tawash were rescued by the Coast guard amid rough seas and strong winds.

Missing were CJ Gamotea and Shine Mata, 30, mother of siblings Mark and Shile.

Two passengers identified as Cherry Silverio and Chris John Cepada remained confined at a hospital.

Gallego died at 2 a.m. at St. Paul’s Hospital while the other fatalities were pronounced dead on arrival at various hospitals, according to Diaz.

The motorboat was on its way to Jordan port in Guimaras from Iloilo City when it was battered by strong winds and huge waves. It capsized at 4:23 p.m. about one-and-a-half kilometers from the port of Iloilo.