PCG: Elements of Coast Guard Station Cagayan rendered assistance to the passengers and crew of motorbanca Mark Joseph after sinking on March 29, 2019 at vicinity waters off Cagayan River in Aparri.

A certain Unnele T Catulin, 36 year-old resident of Larion, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan called CGS Cagayan informing that said motorbanca owned and operated by Mark Joseph Jojo Sambajon, 38 y. o. sank at the said vicinity near Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Punta, Aparri, Cagayan.

Upon receipt of the report, search and rescue team composed of CGS Cagayan, CG Medical Clinic-North Eastern Luzon and Special Operation Unit-NELZN personnel proceeded to the area to verify the factuality of the report and to render assistance.

While proceeding to Veterans Wharf, Macanaya, Aparri, the team provided medical assistance and conducted physical assessment to the victims identified as: Lenie F. Erece, 24 y. o; Levie F. Erece, 23 y. o; Jessabelle Calanoga, 23 y. o; and Alma Grace Duerme, 31 y. o, all residents of Naguillian, Camiguin, Calayan, Cagayan; Janin Abuyuan, 23 y. o resident of Balatubat, Camiguin, Cagayan; and a minor aged 4 year old all in good physical condition.

The team approached the said motorbanca which is half submerged and being towed to shoreline near Veterans Wharf, Macanaya, Aparri, Cagayan.

Based on the information gathered, motorbanca Mark Joseph departed Camiguin, Calayan, Cagayan at around 08:20 a.m of March 29, 2019 enroute to Aparri, Cagayan. While entering the mouth of Cagayan River at Punta, Aparri, Cagayan, they encountered big waves which caused the water to fill in and the motorbanca to sink.