Travel photographer killed when boat capsized off Dapitan City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A travel photographer was killed while his companion was hurt when the motorized boat they were riding on capsized off the Aliguay Island in Dapitan City on Wednesday.

Mary June Bugante, regional director of the Department of Tourism Western Mindanao, said Dr. Bob Aquino, a travel photographer, was killed while his colleague Jessie Uy was hurt.

Bugante said the victims were members of the group Trevorz Photographers, which was usually contracted to do coffee table books.

Bugante said she received information that the victims tried to put on their life vests only after the boat capsized.

Yu was brought to the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Hospital in Dipolog City.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Regional Police Office, said a group of local tourists numbering around 15 left Taguilon port in Dapitan City around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday for Aliguay Island.

The group was led by Marie Apple Anggolong, the Dapitan City Tourism Officer.

“They went to the island for a photo shoot,” Huesca said, adding that when the group was on their way back to Dapitan, their boat capsized when it was hit by big waves.

Another sea vessel was able to rescue the passenger. Aquino’s body was later recovered.