A SEARCH and rescue operation has been conducted to locate the five missing passengers of a motor boat that sank in the waters between Hinundayan, Southern Leyte and Loreto, Dinagat Island on Sunday morning, June 30, 2019.
Authorities said they received the distress call at 10:30 a.m.
The vessel left the port of Hinundayan. It was bound for Loreto, Dinagat Island.
It reportedly experienced a mechanical failure, causing it to capsize and sink.
The missing passengers were identified as Jay-ar Adanza, 40; Serecio Adanza, 40; and motor boat operator Michael Samatina, 30.
Two Australian nationals Grahame David Hastings and Donald Cox were also missing.
As of this writing, the personnel of Hinundayan Police Station, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management team and the Philippine Coast Guard have yet to find the missing passengers. (FROM JKDP OF SUPERBALITA CEBU / WBS)