By Sarwell Meniano | Philippine News Agency
TACLOBAN CITY – The search is on for three teens who went missing after their motorized boat capsized in the waters of Biliran province Sunday night.
The Biliran Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council deployed a team Tuesday morning to start the search and rescue operation for the three missing teens.
Philippine Coast Guard Biliran acting station commander John Christian Cosico said in a phone interview they were not able to start the search on Monday due to rough seas and poor visibility in the area.
Cosico said the vessel, MBCA Aga, sailed from Carnaza Island in Daanbantayan, Cebu at 5 p.m. on Sunday for Higatangan Island in Naval, Biliran.
Four passengers were on board the small boat – Jay Bohol, 20; Danny Bohol, 19; David Lastimada, 17; and David Canezo, 18.
All of them are residents of Carnaza Island, who made the trip to the island to join the fiesta revelries Sunday night.
Of the four passengers, only Jay was rescued by local fishermen. The three others remained missing as they swam to different directions for survival, Cosico said.
“The small boat was swept by big waves Sunday night. We received initial reports past 2 p.m. on Monday. As much as we want to respond immediately, we were prevented by big waves and limited information,” Cosico told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday.
The unregistered motorized boat capsized between Higatangan Island and Maripipi Island in Biliran, according to Coast Guard.
Carnaza Island is about 18 kilometers from Higatangan Island, and more than hour travel by motorized boat, according to BiliranIsland.com.
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