5 dead, 14 rescued, one still missing in Sulu sea mishap

Five people were killed, while 14 others are rescued after the pump boat they were riding capsized off Daongdong Island in Pata, Sulu Saturday, the military said.

Maj. Eugene Batara, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command said one of the passengers of the ill-fated watercraft, identified as a certain Sinnag Arkan, is still missing as of press time.

He identified the fatalities as Juraisa Taub, eight; Naima Nassir, 35; Patrah Nassir, five; Gemar Arkan, four; and Nihma Arkan, 47.

Those rescued by Marines from the 23rd Marine Company were Hatib Sakan Arkan, 60; Salip Aprson Jaynal, 40; Rakmah Bahari, 45; Admer Hussein, 14; Elein Parson, eight; Benhor Junior Taub, four months old; Junior Taub, 27; Hussein Arkan, 40; Ardamir Imbay, 28; Armager Imbay, 14; Nurhima Parson, 13; Edemar Taub, 14; Tungga Uddaman, 45; and Mado Tunnga, 18, all residents of Sitio Mangal-Mangal, Masjid Punjungan, Kalingalang Caluang.

Batara said the pump boat hired by the said persons capsized due to rough sea conditions while they were en route to Pata Island to attend a feast and avail of medication.

One of the pump boat operators was able to swim toward a nearby island and asked for help. The incident was brought to the attention of the commanding officer of 23rd Marine Company who immediately coordinated the launch of a search and rescue operation with the help of local residents and local divers in the area with 10 pump boats,” he said.

He said local boatmen helped the Marines in the search and rescue operations.