Poll bet, 9 others missing after taking boat ride in Masbate

Police have launched search and rescue operations for 10 people, including a mayoralty candidate, who failed to come home after taking a boat ride from a campaign sortie in San Pascual, Masbate on Friday.

Police identified those missing as Amado S. Rodriguez, candidate for San Pascual mayor of the Reporma party, and companions Ernesto Cervantes II, Marcial Alo Dadula, Antonio Renzales, Pascual Renzales, Marcial Regalado Jr., Wilbert Canoy and three other unidentified people.

Reports reaching Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director Leandro Mendoza at Camp Crame in Quezon City showed that the Masbate provincial police coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and civic group Kabalikat Civicom for the rescue operations.

The rescue operations were launched Saturday after a certain Jose Ortega reported to the police at around 8:40 p.m. that Rodriguez and his party failed to arrive as scheduled in Camarines Sur.

Investigation initiated by the San Pascual town police showed that Rodriguez’s group left the San Pascual port at around 5 p.m. on Friday for Pasacao, Camarines Sur.

According to local police, the group was last seen boarding a white pump boat without markings. A check with authorities at the Pasacao port revealed the boat carrying Rodriguez’s group did not reach port.

Police theorized that Rodriguez and his group may have been lost at sea, prompting authorities to conduct the search and rescue operation. – Christina Mendez