PCG: The joint team of Coast Guard Station Surigao Quick Response Team and PNP Maritime Group conducted search and rescue operation of a distressed motorbanca with two (2) passengers onboard which encountered engine trouble at the vicinity waters off Surigao City on July 23.

A certain PO2 Sarah Torillo PNP, the victims’ daughter reported the incident to CGS Surigao.

The elements of CGS Surigao together with the PNP Maritime Group immediately conducted search and rescue operation and successfully found the distressed motorbanca at vicinity waters of Surigao City and conducted towing operation thereat.

Investigation revealed that Mr. Rodolfo Borromeo and Mrs Maria Paz Borromeo onboard unnamed motorbanca departed Barangay Imelda, Tubajo, Province of Dinagat Islands bound for Surigao City to visit their children. While transiting at vicinity waters of Basul Island, Lipata, Surigao City they were battered by big waves causing the water to enter their motorbanca which resulted the spark plugs to be wet and the engine to stop.

The SAR team advised the master of the motorbanca to file a marine protest in relative to the incident and register their motorized pumpboat to the Security System Environmental Numbering (SSEN) system to the nearest PCG unit.