2 missing passengers recovered

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Rescue volunteers recovered on Friday the bodies of two missing passengers of a motor banca that capsized off Rio Grande de Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

This brought to five the number of fatalities in the banca tragedy, reports from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) of the Kabacan Municipal Government.

MDRRMC head, Dr. Cedric Mantawil, identified the bodies as that of Mary Jean Abarca, 26, and Genevieve Saliling, 11, both residents of Barangay Tamped, Kabacan.

Rescue volunteers recovered around 6 a.m. Friday the body of Abarca along the riverbank in Barangay Ugalingan, Carmen.
Four hours later, they fished off from the river in Montawal, Maguindanao, the body of Saliling, Mantawil said.

Abarca and Saliling were among the passengers of a banca that capsized off Rio Grande de Mindanao on Wednesday.

Authorities hinted the boat was overloaded. But survivors said the banca capsized after a big pump boat overtook them. When it happened, big waves were created, and it made the boat overturn.

The tragedy resulted in the death of Lilibeth Mandaya, 42, of Barangay Salat, President Roxas; Gerry Marabe, 34, and son Bobby, 5, both residents of Barangay Ugalingan, Carmen, whose bodies were recovered also on Wednesday.