Motorboat Capsizes Off Antique Coast, 1 Dead, 8 Rescued

Eight passengers were rescued while one was reported dead after a motorboat bound for Occidental Mindoro capsized in waters off Liwagao Island in the town of Caluya, Antique, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday. Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) San Jose launched a search and rescue operation after motorboat SAN AGUSTIN IV failed to arrive at Barangay Caminawit in San Jose town, Occidental Mindoro. READ: Occidental Mindoro under state of calamity, over P2.1 billion damage The vessel departed Semirara Port in Antique on Sept. 5. Its owner later alerted the PCG after losing communication with the crew. Despite difficult weather and sea conditions, rescuers located SAN AGUSTIN IV capsized off Barangay Sibulo in Liwagao Island, at around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 6. The eight survivors were found clinging to the boat’s keel and were immediately rescued by the PCG. They were brought to Pinagpala Port in Barangay Semirara for medical evaluation and further assistance, in coordination with CGSS Semirara and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The PCG reported a fatality but did not immediately release details. CGSS Semirara personnel aboard the MTUG Jun Yeu began towing the capsized motorboat toward Semirara Island. INQ