SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique –The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) temporarily halted its Search and Rescue (SAR) operation on the coast of the island Municipality of Caluya due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Enteng on Monday.
PCG Antique Station Commander Val Ernie Daitao said in an interview that the BRP Kalanggaman (FPV 2404) and the BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), which they used to search for seven missing passengers of the two motor bancas that sank in the vicinity of Caluya on Aug. 26, temporarily sought shelter until the weather improves.
“We are urging residents along the coastal areas to immediately report to the PCG if they happen to find the missing passengers of the motor bancas,” he said.
The motor bancas were carrying a total of 20 passengers; 10 were rescued, three died, and seven were still missing.
“The Caluya local government unit is providing assistance to those who had been rescued and are now back home,” Daitao said.
He added that the PCG Legal Division is also investigating the sinking, considering that the motor bancas were supposedly only for fishing and not for transporting passengers.
“The owners of the motor bancas also had not coordinated with our PCG station prior to their trips,” Daitao said. (PNA)
Comments