Two Missing After Sailboat Overturns in Guimaras

Manila, Phiippines - Elements of the Philippine Coast Guard are currently conducting a search and rescue operations in Guimaras after a sailboat was reported missing in the said area yesterday.

Based on the information received by the Coast Guard Action Center (CGAC) in Manila, the wife and relatives of the missing persons arrived at Coast Guard Station Iloilo and according to their statement, Salvador Molina and Charlet Madayag, both residents of Barangay Calaparan in Arevalo, Iloilo City went on fishing onboard a sailboat somewhere in Guimaras but failed to return home.

Personnel from the said PCG station together with two relatives of the missing persons conducted search and rescue (SAR) operations from the shoreline waters of Barangay Calumpang to Pangasinan Point in Guimaras Island but returned with negative result.

The said station will continue its SAR operations and advised all vessels passing the said areas to render assistance to the sailboat and the persons onboard if sighted and report to the nearest Coast Guard office.

Meanwhile in Boracay Islands, four sailboats with fifteen Chinese and Korean nationals onboard were rescued by elements from the field station of the Coast Guard-Western Visayas, Coast Guard Investigation Force, and Coast Guard Special Operations Group (CGSOG) Caticlan after the said vessels capsized at the vicinity approximately 700 meters off Barangay Balabag.

Investigation revealed that the said passengers hired the sailboats identified as Nature, Bumble Bee, Ryan and an unmarked one for island hopping at vicinity Boracay Island. While sailing, the sailboats were battered by strong winds and big waves causing said vessels to capsize.

All the passengers and crew members were rescued and the sailboats were towed at the shoreline of Station 2 in Barangay Balabag.

John Carlo Cahinhinan, Manila Bulletin