PCG: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), PCG Auxiliary (PCGA), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Joint Task Force (JTF) Boracay conducted a joint search and rescue (SAR) operation on a distressed unnamed motorbanca at vicinity waters between Boracay Island and Caluya Island last June 19.

Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Boracay received the information about the distressed watercraft from to the motorbanca operator, Mr. Clecito Zafra, 48 years old, a resident of Brgy. Imba, Caluya, Antique through cell phone call. Mr. Zafra revealed that the said distressed motorbanca has a total of four persons onboard.

On or about 5PM same date, the motorbanca departed from Sitio Tabon Baybay, Brgy. Caticlan, Malay, Aklan bound to Caluya, Antique together with the skipper and four persons onboard namely: Glenn Animas, 40 years old; Ramito Cabe, 44 years old; Jeric Espaola, 15 years old; and Jefrey Malutao, 17 years old. Accordingly, Mr. Zafra further informed that while navigating at the vicinity waters between Boracay Island and Caluya Island, Antique, the propeller of said boat was detached due to rough sea condition prevailing in the area.

Subsequently, Station Commander of CGSS Boracay made coordination with Rear Admiral Leonard A Tirol PCGA, the Adviser/ Consultant of Boracay Fire Rescue Ambulance Volunteer (BFRAV), JTF Boracay for the availability of their water assets. Further, CGSS Boracay together with the PNP Maritime Group and the Navy deployed their water assets and conducted a joint SAR operations. But due to poor visibility and unfavorable sea condition prevailing in the said area, all units temporarily secured. The team will resume their operation if weather permits. CGSS Boracay has already made coordination with CGSS Carabao Island, CGSS Sibuyan and CGSS Sta. Fe to advise all watercrafts transiting in the said area for possible sighting of the said motorbanca and immediately inform the nearest Coast Guard unit.

Moreover, around 5:30 PM yesterday, June 20, CGSS Boracay received a cellphone call from certain Dodong Ignacio, a resident of Brgy. Lanag Hambil, Carabao Island, Romblon informing that the distress motorbanca was on his custody. Immediately, CGSS Carabao confirmed to the CGSS Boracay that the boat was at the shoreline of the said area. Further, the abovementioned four persons were safe and in good physical condition. After the successful repair of the boat, the said survivors decided to depart bound to Caluya Island, Antique.