Six rescued as 2 boats capsize off Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Six people were rescued from the sea off Cadiz City in Negros Occidental Monday amid gale warning from the state weather bureau that was still in force until yesterday.

Lieutenant Commodore Ramil Palabrica, chief of Philippine Coast Guard-Bacolod, said four fishermen were first rescued by the Cadiz Rescue Team after their banca capsized in the waters of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental at  Monday midnight.

Rescued were Dominador Areglado, 43; Joemarie Caballero, 45; Joebert Areglado, and Joemar Areglado, 31.

Earlier at Monday noon, two others, Ernie John Bajo and his wife Mary Rose, were rescued by the Victorias Rescue Team when the couple's motor banca capsized off Victorias City, Negros Occidental, said Palabrica.

Meanwhile, the gale warning issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geographical, and Astronomical Services Administration was still enforced as of yesterday.

As a result, the PCG-Bacolod continued to suspend the trips of small vessels in Negros Occidental bound for Iloilo and Cebu.

Since January 25, the PCG prohibited the travel of small vessels, including fast crafts and motor bancas, below 250-gross tonnage.

Palabrica said trips of small vessels from different ports in the province, including those traveling from Escalante City to Tabuelan, Cebu; San Carlos City to Toledo, Cebu; and Cadiz City to Bantayan Island, Valladolid to Guimaras, and Pulupandan to Guimaras were still suspended.

However, roll-on-roll-off (RORO) vessels from Bacolod to Iloilo and vice versa were allowed to travel.

Palabrica said the suspension of trips will continue until PAGASA lifts the gale warning. — (FREEMAN)