FOURTEEN passengers were rescued after their motorbanca capsized between the municipal seawaters of Padre Burgos and Limasawa in Southern Leyte Monday afternoon, July 15.

Limasawa police, along with Philippine Coast Guard and municipal emergency response personnel, rescued the passengers and the boat owner of MB Ruel nearly two hours after the vessel capsized due to big waves and strong wind brought by Tropical Depression Falcon around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 14.

Authorities identified the boat owner and crew as Ruel Leones Daling, 53, and Jerico Japson Embodo, 16, all residents of Barangay Lugsongan, Limasawa.

The passengers were Raul Marteja Oronos, 26; Megan Quiletorio Bardillon, 26; Angelica Cabales Bula, 24; Jona Mae Duhilag Budlat, 19; Eva Mae Duhilag Budlat, 22; Rev Fr. Arthur Terante Duarte, 38; Hady Mangana Senoc, 38; Hereberto Aclao Alatraca, 46; Clifford Bronio Alatraca, 39; Janette Napoles Alatraca, 39; Mary Rose Sindo Semeros, 20; and Wenalyn Palero Parinas, 9.

However, one passenger, identified as Adelaida Araneta Palero, 65, was declared dead on arrival by Dr. Jessa Mae Rosete when brought to the Limasawa rural health unit. (SunStar Philippines)