A BOAT loaded with 14 passengers capsized off Laoang town in Northern Samar Tuesday evening, January 7.

But all passengers, including the boat owner and its operator, were safe.

Police said the boat was overloaded, causing it to capsize off Barangay Rawis in Laoang town around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The boat was headed to the town proper when the incident happened.

Some of the passengers were identified as Joey Adora, 44; John Brylee Acuyan, 23; Ardyn Eizel Icalina, 28; Clemente Macallan, 66; Mary Claire Giray, 27; Norelle Morales, 26; Rezel Espiña, 33; and Lorelyn De Guia, 35.

Police identified the motorboat owner as Lyra Adamero, 51, a kagawad of Barangay Cahayagan in Laoang, while the motorboat operator was Maldo Baluyot, 35, a resident of Barangay Talisay, Laoang.

Only 10 names were identified in the police report.

The victims told personnel of the Laoang Municipal Police Station that they lost their belongings, including cellphones and laptops, with an estimated total market value of P100,000.

Police investigation is ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)