ANTIQUE — Four passengers aboard a motorboat that capsized between the waters of Mararison and Batbatan islands in Culasi, Antique were rescued following a search and rescue operation that concluded early Thursday morning, May 7.
According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Culasi, the Search and Rescue (SAR) operations officially ended at around 6 a.m. after all four passengers were found safe.
The passengers were identified as Angelito Patricio, 58; Dante Salvador, 60; Rose Salvador; and 12-year-old Cherry Ann Mateo.
Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Broderick Train said the group was on its way home to Barangay Batbatan from the town proper of Culasi when the motorboat capsized.
Train said Cherry Ann Mateo managed to swim for more than two hours from the site of the incident to Barangay Batbatan to seek help from barangay officials and local fisherfolk.
Upon receiving the report, the information was immediately relayed to the MDRRMO of Culasi, while local fisherfolk launched initial rescue efforts.
Dante Salvador, believed to be the motorboat crew, also managed to swim to the shoreline of Barangay Batbatan.
“The two remaining passengers were finally rescued early this morning,” Train said.
The two passengers, Angelita Patricio and Rose Salvador, were reportedly found by rescuers clinging to the overturned motorboat.
“All four passengers, who were supposedly on their way home from Culasi town proper, have now returned with their families in the island barangay of Batbatan,” Train added.
Punong Barangay Bobby Mateo of Barangay Batbatan confirmed that all four passengers survived the incident and safely returned to their respective homes.
Based on the MDRRMO report, the maritime incident reportedly occurred at around 11 a.m. on May 6, although authorities formally received the report at approximately 10 p.m. on the same day.
The Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Police also assisted in retrieving the motorboat.
Train said the passengers were believed to have traveled to Culasi to sell dried fish, their primary source of livelihood.
Authorities reminded the public to observe safety precautions when traveling by sea, especially amid unpredictable weather and sea conditions./PN
