DOTC-PCG: Four Korean nationals and four Filipinos were rescued by passing fishermen after their motorbanca capsized while navigating between Danao and Camotes Island during the height of Tropical Storm Basyang.

The unnamed boat was reportedly rented by the Koreans last January 31 and departed Santiago, San Francisco, Camotes Island. While underway to Danao, the boat was battered by big waves caused by the inclement weather, thereby causing it to capsize.

The following day at around 11:30AM, a certain Calvin Tuadles, together with the Danao City Rescue Team, informed Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Danao that a fisherman identified as Ramil Sanchez rescued the three Koreans onboard said boat at the vicinity waters of Barangay Looc, Danao.

According to Sanchez, his boat can only accommodate three persons, thus, he had to leave the five passengers in the water and proceeded to Barangay Looc. The survivors were then brought to Danao City District Hospital for treatment of minor rashes.

Upon receipt of said report, the personnel of CGSS Danao dispatched an aluminum boat, a Special Operations Unit (SOU)-Cebu rubber boat and PCG search and rescue vessel, BRP EDSA II (SARV 002) to conduct surface search and immediately render assistance in the search and rescue operation for the remaining passengers.

On the same day, CGSS Camotes received a phone call from CGSS Danao informing that the five passengers were already rescued by passing fishermen at Barangay Malbago, Esperanza, San Francisco, Cebu. Immediately, CGSS Camotes proceeded to said barangay to confirm the report.

Investigation conducted with fishermen Oliver Formentera and Allan Gonzaga revealed that while on fishing venture, they sighted four individuals clinging on a half-submerged motorbanca at the vicinity seawaters off Malbago and immediately rescued said persons and turned over to Australia Reston, Councilor of said Barangay.

Meanwhile, Mario Soringa, another passing fisherman sighted another person drifting along with improvised floaters at the same vicinity. The victim was also turned over to Mr. Reston.

The survivors were rushed to Maningo Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, Cebu for proper medical attention.

After the medication, SOU-Cebu rubber boat ferried the two survivors to BRP EDSA II (SARV-002) which departed Nagub-an, Union, San Francisco bound for Danao City. Meanwhile, the four crew members preferred to stay since they are natives of Camotes Island.

CGSS Danao, together with the Danao City Rescue Team, immediately proceeded to the said barangay to render necessary assistance. Thereafter, the team provided medical assistance and conducted interrogation to said rescued victims.

The passengers were identified as follows:

NAME AGE NATIONALITY ADDRESS
Stimson B Zoilo 49 Filipino Batson, Santiago, San Francisco, Camotes
Arron B Zoilo 19 Filipino Batson, Santiago, San Francisco, Camotes
Jimson M Zoilo 22 Filipino Batson, Santiago, San Francisco, Camotes
Julius Perilla 30 Filipino Batson, Santiago, San Francisco, Camotes
Ho Geol Ga 25 Korean Pasay City
In Geol Ga 27 Korean Pasay City
Mo Geol Ga 55 Korean Pasay City
Kyougae Lee 51 Korean Pasay City