SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna—Seven people were confirmed dead while two remained missing after an inter-island passenger boat sank off Romblon town in Romblon province.
The Romblon police on Saturday released the names of seven fatalities based on the passenger manifesto. They were: Anacel Macalipay, Evangeline Cledera, John Mark Mingo, Josephine Motia,Laudemir Famarin, Mely Almazan, and Cristelle Jane Hanod.
Hanod’s body was only retrieved Saturday morning. Two more passengers, Laudem Ramos and James Mingo, remained missing.
A Philippine Coast Guard report said motorbanca Alad Express 2 sank at the height of strong waves and bad weather around 9:40 a.m. Friday.
BACKSTORY: Boat sinks off Romblon; 5 dead, one missing
Romblon deputy police chief Sr. Inspector Ledilyn Ambonan, in a phone interview Saturday, said the boat was carrying 50 passengers and 4 crew members when it left the Magdiwang port in Sibuyan island for the port of Romblon. The vessel was about 15 kilometers away from its destination when it encountered rough seas that caused its left outrigger to snap.
Ambonan said some of the passengers recounted seeing a tornado.
“Some of the passengers were able to swim toward the shores of Barangay (village) Agbudia (in Romblon town),” Ambonan said.
Ambonan said the survivors were brought to the Governor’s Residence, a government transient home, while others stayed with their relatives in Romblon.
The police had also filed a case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against the boat captain, Naptali Molina, and his crew.