UPDATE
Eight crew members of a tugboat were rescued after their vessel capsized off Golo Island in Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 8.
Search and rescue operations (SAR) were terminated on Sunday, Oct. 9, as all of the crew members of ill-fated Betheva 2 were found, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
PCG rescuers initially rescued five of them on Saturday. They were identified as Alfie Dangue, boat captain; and crew members Jerwin Adion, Ariel Sadje, Ronel Padon, and Gerald Manzano.
Meanwhile, three others were rescued around 10:30 a.m. Sunday by residents of Brgy. Talaotao in Looc town. They were Joshua Brizal, Jerome Feildad, and a certain Jay, all crew members.
Dangue said they were traversing the vicinity waters of Golo Island en route to Rio Tuba, Palawan around 2:30 p.m. when strong waves hit their vessel. The boat came from South Harbor, Manila.
This caused water to seep in the engine room and moments later, the boat was completely submerged.
Motorbanca M/B RG Brothers happened to pass by the distressed crew. Luckily, five of the crew were saved but Brizal, Feildad, and Jay went missing.
Dangue said they were onboard a life craft before they vanished. It was only the following morning when they were found by villagers.
“Maayos na po ang lagay ng walong sakay ng lumubog na tugboat (All eight persons onboard the capsized tugboat are now doing well),” the PCG said.