Search on for missing student in Occidental Mindoro boat mishap

CITY OF CALAPAN—Authorities have launched a search-and-rescue operation for a 19-year-old student who went missing after the motorized banca she boarded with eight others capsized in a river in San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro on Friday.

In a report by San Jose police, student Leah Mangao had been missing since Friday after the motorized banca her group boarded in Barangay (village) San Agustin to cross the river to Sitio (sub-village) Lamis capsized at around 4 p.m.

Police investigations revealed the boat’s bamboo balance beam (katig) broke due to the strong current of the river, causing the motor banca to capsize.

Personnel from Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan (Mimaropa) police are still searching for Mangao with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard and San Jose Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as of Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, her eight companions who were rescued were identified as Henry Niluani, 48, laborer; Editha Pastorga, 45; students Jessa Montecalbo, 18, Jaypee Mahinay, 18, Zean Kyle Baldomero, 18; Benjie Laurente, 35, driver; Joenen Cornejo, 35; and Jeffrey Baron, 35, driver.

All of them are residents of Barangay San Agustin. /jpv