PCG: Joint team of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Laguna de Bay together with other rescue groups conducted search and rescue (SAR) operations for four missing passengers onboard unnamed motorbanca at vicinity of Barangay Aplaya, Pila, Laguna last April 13.

Reports revealed that a certain Mr. Ernesto V Pitoralba, a member of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Laguna informed said station that the motorbanca was skippered by Billy Jo Estacio, 25 years old and a resident of Bagugo, Jala-Jala, Rizal departed from Barangay Aplaya with 15 passengers bound to Rizal to attend the “Pabasa” (“Reading of the Passion,” a Catholic devotion in the Philippines during Holy Week).

Accordingly, 10 passengers were successfully rescued, one was recovered lifeless and four others remain missing.

Search operations conducted by said team yielded negative results and temporarily terminated due to unfavorable sea condition and continue if the weather permits.

CGS Laguna de Bay advised all fishermen in the area to be on look-out for the said missing fishermen and immediately report to the nearest PCG unit if sighted.