Cebu priest, assistant missing in sea mishap

The parish priest of Pilar, Cebu and his assistant were missing after their motorized banca capsized off Leyte the other day, the Coast Guard said.

Lt. Arman Balilo, Coast Guard information officer, said the banca, MV Mary Ann, was en route to Merida, Leyte from Camotes Island in Cebu when a huge wave tipped the boat over in the vicinity of Kalunayan Point at about 2 a.m.

On board the banca were Francisco Maratas, the boat’s operator; Fr. Tito Patacsil and his assistant, Noel Serato.

Maratas was reportedly rescued by a passing vessel, MV San Jose, while Pataksil and his helper remained missing as of press time.

Search and rescue operations were still ongoing. — Nestor Etolle, Miriam Garcia Desacada