12 dead as ferry sinks off Batangas

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines – Twelve people, including three children and a Japanese national, died while 52 passengers were rescued when a motorized banca sank off Batangas yesterday morning, a Coast Guard official said.

Lt. Commander Troy Cornelio, Batangas Coast Guard commander, identified the fatalities as Franco Eugenio, 3; Anton Cruz, 2, both of White Plains, Quezon City; Gregonia Pabliko, 58, and Albino Pabliko, 55, of Sta. Cruz, Manila; Beta Bardin, 2, and Melanie Berdin, 30, both of Sta. Mesa, Manila; Desiree Teodoro, 20, of Taytay, Rizal; Joana Perez, 25, of Batangas; Mina Ricci Cads of Rizal; Daisy Eugenio of Quezon City; Hosotani Shoji, a Japanese national; and a certain yaya Tess.

Cornelio said the wooden rig of the M/B Commando 6, which left the Batangas port at around 11 a.m. bound for White Beach in Puerto Galera, broke at the vicinity of Balahibong Puti Point off Batangas.

Cornelio said the outrigger boat, with a seating capacity of 60, was pummeled by strong waves and wind, ripping its rig and causing it to sink before lunch yesterday.

Two Batangas Coast Guard rescue vessels were immediately sent to the area, joining other private banca operators in the rescue operation.

Coast Guard personnel brought the casualties to Sabang, Puerto Galera, while the survivors were taken to the town’s hospital for medical treatment.

Philippine Coast Guard district commander Commodore Cecil Chen said he is asking for the passenger manifest.

The motorized banca was reportedly owned and operated by Reynaldo Ilagan of Ilagan Shipping Lines.

Chen said there would be an investigation into the incident.

“Good weather prevailed when the vessel sailed. So we also have to consider other possibilities such as if there were excess passengers, if one of the outriggers was broken or if the vessel’s hull was damaged.” – With Evelyn Macairan and Jaime Laude