APARRI, Cagayan — At least 23 persons drowned while 33 others were reported missing when an overcrowded wooden- hulled passenger vessel capsized half a kilometer from its destination late Sunday, authorities said yesterday.
Forty-six of the 102 passengers and crew of the motorized banca May John survived, most of them managing to swim to shore, police said.
The 28-ton May John, a wooden hulled outrigger passenger vessel, travelling from the Calayan islands was near the port of Aparri when it met strong waves and current brought about by the northwest monsoon or Hanging Amihan, authorities said.
The vessel capsized after strong waves broke its bamboo outrigger forcing the passenger to leap into the rough waters.
Melchito Castro, regional director of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Cagayan Valley, said the sinking killed 23 passengers, including the operator of the vessel, Amy Tan Arellano, and deputy coordinator of OCD Cagayan Valley region Bella Llopiz.
He identified the other fatalities as Abena Tan Arellano, Eva Llopiz, Leonardo Llopiz, Winifredo Agarpao, Angel Suarez, Cristin Cangas, Ofelia Balmes, Paz Escalante, Asela Tamboa, Ralaine Allado, Marilou Menor, and Rolly dela Cruz. Calayan Vice Mayor Jun de Guzman said one of the dead victims was Councilor Wilfredo Agarpao. Castro said that among those still unidentified was the body of a one-year-old boy.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20081216143619.html
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