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Wednesday, April 02, 2008
6 missing boat passengers pronounced dead
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- The six passengers of MB Judi Ann who remained missing as of Tuesday have been pronounced dead by the authorities after one of the five survivors of the ill-fated vessel claimed having seen them drown at sea.
Pronounced dead were Nene Kiawan, 52; Edna Kiawan, 32; Ambet Kiawan, 12; Dennis Kiawan, 1; Reymart Kiawan, 6; and Jayjay Galas, 8 months old.
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Authorities declared them dead as survivor Alejandro de Arce Sr. said the six have drowned.
Five survived the tragedy, while authorities recovered three dead bodies.
The other survivors were identified as Ranilo Olivo, Judith de Arce, Jennifer Galas, and Alejandro de Arce Jr.
The three bodies recovered were identified as those of Dianne de Arce, Jeffrey Kiawan, and Marjon Galas.
The motorized banca was cruising off the waters of Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao del Sur around 3 p.m. of March 26 when it was battered by big waves causing its hull to break.
Olivo was the first survivor to reach shore by swimming for several hours. The four other survivors were floating for almost two days before a Greek ship that was on its way to Australia about 50 nautical miles off Balut Island rescued them.
The four reportedly survived from their two-day ordeal by eating banana leaves and coconut husk, which were part of the banca's cargo.
The Davao del Sur Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council said the victims were from Barangay Mabila in Balut Island and were en route to Camalwal, Sarangani Island to attend wedding and graduation ceremonies when the incident happened. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (April 2, 2008 issue)
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