CEBU, Philippines – A motor boat carrying a group of family members has capsized off Iloilo province killing three young children.
Inspector Klarenz Sia, Carles Police chief, identified the victims as Cristel Jane Rualio, 6; Cristof Jean Rualio, 3, and Jessa Bartolome, 10, all residents of an island in Carles town. He said five were rescued while three others remained missing.
The survivors were identified as Jeramil Besonia, Ruffa Bartolome, Glory Jane Rualio, Marivic Bartolome, and Reynaldo Bartolome. They were treated at Jesus M. Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan town.
The survivors earlier claimed they tied the two on the boat but rescuers failed to see them when they got back to the area where the boat capsized.
The group earlier celebrated New Year's Day at Naburot Island in Buenavista, Carles. They sailed around 5:30 p.m. of Thursday to Asluman Island in Carles, but rough seas sank their boat on the seawaters off Barangay Lantangan of this town.