DOTC-PCG: Six passengers, one of whom is a minor, were successfully rescued by the elements of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Iloilo from a half-submerged motor boat in Bundulan Point, Jordan, Guimaras.

The incident was reported by the master of MV Maria Isabel through VHF radio to CGS Iloilo last Sunday, February 2. Accordingly, the ship was enroute from Lapuz Wharf, Iloilo to Cuyo, Palawan when it sighted a half-submerged motor banca at the vicinity waters of Bundulan Point, Jordan.

The personnel of CGS Iloilo immediately alerted Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Jordan and the Special Operation Unit-Western Visayas (SOUWV) to render necessary assistance to the unnamed motor boat.

Around 5:45PM of the same date, the rescue team returned to CGS Iloilo with all of the six survivors in good physical condition while the distressed motor boat was towed and temporarily detained aboard said station.

Investigation revealed that the said boat, owned by a certain John Rey Ganilla from Barangay Hoskyn, Jordan, was borrowed by a group of local tourists to take pictures of the shoreline of Jordan, Guimaras.

The group departed said barangay around 3:45PM but while navigating the vicinity waters of Bundulan Point, the boat was battered by big waves thereby causing it to capsize.

The rescued passengers are identified as follows:
1. Nilo Ganila JR (Boat Captain) – 28 years old, Brgy Hoskyn, Jordan, Guimaras
2. Jake Gabinira – 15 years old, Brgy Hoskyn, Jordan, Guimaras
3. Raul Guerero – 38 years old, Taguig City
4. Erich Gil Lopez – 27 years old, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City
5. John Diansen – 33 years old, Jaro, Iloilo City
6. Ashes Jhay Matalang – 27 years old, Mandaluyong city

Meanwhile, CGS Iloilo summoned Ganilla for a hearing.