Seven (7) persons onboard including a 3-week old baby onboard an unmotorized motorbanca were rescued by the crew of passing Mbca “Me-Me” at the vicinity waters of Shell Island, Cebu City on December 26 at 10:30am.

Jairel A. Labiaga, Boat Captain of M/bca “Me-Me” reported to Coast Guard Sub-Station Aduana that while their vessel was entering Cebu south entrance channel, they sighted the victims floating near the Cebu South entrance channel.

Immediately, CGSS Aduana personnel proceeded to board M/bca “Me-Me” to give necessary assistance and to conduct initial investigation.

Ms. Emma Labaniego, one of the passengers of the paddled banca, revealed that they departed Carbon, Cebu City enroute to Shell Island at 10:15am of the same day. While transiting between the waters off Carbon and Shell Island, their banca capsized due to the big waves caused by an unidentified fast craft passing in the area.

The rescued victims were identified as follows:

1. Rodrigo Martel – 40 years old

2. Emma Labaniego – 35 years old

3. CristyRicafort – 38 years old

4. Honey Ricafort – 18 years old

5. Cris Ann Labaniego – 14 years old

6. LianRicafort – 1 year old

7. Alexa Ricafort – 3 weeks old

CGSS Aduana provided lunch for the rescued victims. Moreover, medical personnel from Coast Guard District Central Visayas conducted a medical examination and declared that all the victims are in good physical condition. They were then transported back to their residence at Sitio Tongo, Barangay Tayas Island, Cordova, Cebu onboard a PCG rubber boat and arrived thereat at around 2pm.