Three dead, 1 missing in Isabela boat mishap

CITY OF CAUAYAN — Three boat passengers died while a fourth remained missing after a vessel carrying 51 people capsized on Friday night off the coast of Palanan town in Isabela province, a belated police report says.

The remains of Joel Tuppil and Dimasalang Valenzuela of Cauayan City and Mylene Silva of Bataan province were fished out of the waters on Saturday. Rescuers are still searching for Ronald Silva.

The commuter boat left the docks at Barangay Culasi and was on its way to Dilasag town in Aurora province, when it was toppled by strong waves, said Senior Insp. Mariano Manalo, Palanan police chief.

Rescuers managed to save 47 passengers, five crew members and the boat captain.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has not listed the accident as a storm-related incident due to Tropical Storm Gorio. No storm signals were raised over the province when the boat set off for Aurora, officials here said. CBB/rga