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LEGAZPI CITY: Two crewmen were missing after a cargo vessel capsized
on Friday off the coast of Bulusan, Sorsogon, the coast guard said.
The MV Don Wilfredo, which was carrying a cargo
of beer from the central island of Cebu to Legazpi City, capsized
after being hit by large waves and heavy winds. Nelson Torre of the
Bicol Coast Guard told The Manila Times that two of the 19
crewmembers of MV Don Wilfredo were still missing as of press time.
The coast guard and Navy rescued 17 of the
vessel’s crewmembers but two remain missing, the commander said,
adding that search and rescue operations were continuing. However,
they have given up on the fate of its cargo—some 76,744 cases of
beer.
Nelson Torre of the Bicol Coast Guard told The
Manila Times that the vessel is owned by Candano Shipping Lines with
business address in this city.
“The vessel sank within the San Bernardino
Strait on Wednesday night following its route from Mandaue, Cebu
City to Legazpi City due to very rough seas. The survivors are still
in a state of shock,” he said.
The missing persons are Nathaniel Latorena (ship
master) and John Paul Jidas (A/Mate) while the survivors were John
Marlon Dato, Manuel Belangel, Noe Labro, Sherwin Devero, Bobby
Abayun, Gilbert Marinao, Jayson Andaya, Jose Ordaneta and Ortlando
Cacam, Regelio Villanueva, Junjun Evangelista Mangisay, Michael
Labastilla, Luis Janohan, Rommel Espinosa, Jenby Palad, Nelso
Floresca and Rey Catubuan.
Torre said that Villanueva, Mangisay, Labastilla,
Janohan, Espinosa and Palad were confined at Medicare Hospital of
Matnog while Floresca was brought to Sordoc Hospital.
Lucita Madarang, regional director of the
Maritime Industry Authority in Bicol told The Manila Times that the
ship’s operation was unauthorized due to its expired cargo ship
certificate.
“The operation is unauthorized because they
were operating pending the issuance of a cargo ship certificate from
our office,” said Madarang.
-- Rhaydz B. Barcia, Katrice R. Jalbuena, with AFP
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