PCG: Elements of Coast Guard Station (CGS) San Fernando rescued six passengers from a capsized motor banca while conducting seaborne patrol onboard two aluminum boats during the celebration of Silag Festival of Lights 2015 at vicinity waters off Poro Point Free Port Zone, San Fernando City, La Union last Sunday. April 12.

According to reports, the team received information from the duty guard of Poro Point Industrial Corporation (PPIC) that there were persons clinging on a capsized motorbanca at vicinity 500 meters away from the shoreline of Wallace Air Station Poro Point, San Fernando City and waving for help. 

Immediately, the patrolling team proceeded at the vicinity and successfully rescued the six (6) persons namely: Mr. Gilbert C Paneda, 26 years old, Mr. Erwin E Corpuz, 41 years old, Mr. Ferdinand Balbalang, 44 years old all single, Mr. Alwyn Perez 31 years old, Mr. Rey M Ramoran 38 years old, Mr.  Catalino Remando 46 years old, all married, and all residents and fishermen of Bauang La Union. Said survivors were safely brought to the shoreline of PPIC slip way, Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union and were subsequently transferred to PCG Ambulance together with the assistance of the Philippine Navy Medical Team. Said victims were then brought to Lorma Medical Center.  According to Bernardo V Soriano, attending physician, all survivors were in good physical condition.

Accordingly, the survivors were all participants for the lantern fluvial parade and while entering to their assembly area at vicinity waters of San Fernando International Seaport they were battered by big waves and strong winds which caused the motorbanca to capsize. All survivors were turned-over to CGS San Fernando for information gathering while waiting for their service vehicle to return them back to their respective homes.