1 dead, 4 missing after boat capsizes in Quezon

LUCENA CITY – A person was killed while four others went missing after strong waves caused a motorized boat to capsize and sink in the Sibuyan Sea in San Francisco town in Quezon province on Good Friday, police said in a belated report Sunday.

Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon police provincial director, said Rebecca Ruga, chair of Barangay (village) Pagsangahan reported the incident at the local police station Saturday evening.

Quoting Ruga, police said the boat left Pagsangahan with nine passengers on Friday at about 5:30 p.m. and sailed for Sombrero Island in Burias, Masbate for a picnic.

Police said strong waves battered the boat that caused it to capsize and sink in the waters off Pagsangahan.

Insp. Randy Buenaventura, San Francisco police chief, said fishermen in the area were able to rescue Norafe Mingoy, 43; Jayvenz Adrian Heyrana, 11; Jallenz Andrey Heyrana, 9; and Nenifer Lim, 36, from the ill-dated boat.

The casualty Junrex Dilao, 12, was found dead by the rescuers.

Four other boat passengers, Abraham Heyrana, 38; Sharona Heyrana, 35; Feron Chester Cuezon, and Ferry Cheron Cuezon were still missing.

A search and rescue operation was launched to find the missing passengers.

The victims are all residents of Pagsangahan. CBB/rga