Several lives were lost after three passenger pumpboats capsized in separate incidents in Iloilo Strait on August 3.
Based on data from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western Visayas, 28 were confirmed dead as of Aug. 5, 2 p.m.
Search, rescue and retrieval operations, according to the PCG-6, are still ongoing for six missing passengers.
M/B Keziah 2 and M/B Chi-Chi capsized at around 12:15 p.m. The boats were hit by “pugada” (squall).
Keziah had four crew members and no passengers while Chi-Chi had 43 passengers and four crew members.
Few hours after the two boats flipped over, M/B Jenny Vince, which had 34 passengers and four crew members, also capsized after being hit by hit by strong winds and giant winds.
Of those included in the list of casualties, eight were educators.
Maria Emilie Legarda, Ivy Grace Labordo, Ma. Zeny Anilao, and Lynlyn Janolino were teachers at Lambunao National High School (LNHS) in Lambunao.
Janolino was brought to St. Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo City on Aug. 3 but was declared dead on arrival. The bodies of Legarda, Labordo, and Anilao were found lifeless in the waters of Dumangas town the following day.
George Buenavista Agcuyawan Kalsada Elementary School in Barotac Nuevo was also among the casualties.
The five Iloilo teachers were all master’s degree students at Guimaras State University.
The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Iloilo extended its sincerest condolences to the bereaved families of the five teachers.
“DepEd Iloilo is calling on all government agencies and local government units to ensure the safety of travelers to avoid similar incidents,” it said in a statement.
The three other teachers were identified as Jaquelyn Alferez, Andrew Valenzuela, and Eden Perales.They were teaching in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Alferez, Velenzuela and Eden were in Guimaras for a vacation.
The PCG said it is currently conducting investigation on why Jenny Vince was allowed to sail few hours after Keziah 2 and Chi-Chi capsized.IMT
