FIVE persons, including two Australian nationals, were safely brought back to their homes after their motorbanca capsized off Hinundayan, Southern Leyte and Gibusong, Loreto, Dinagat Island Sunday morning, June 30.
The foreigners were identified as Grahame David Hastings, 60, and Donald Bruce Cox, 62, both married and currently residing in Hinunangan town.
The other passengers were Jay-ar Adanza, 19; Serecio Adanza, 40, fisherman; and Michael Samatina, 33, pump boat operator.
They were in good physical and mental condition when they were brought back to their residences, authorities said.
The passengers were rescued around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 30, five hours after their banca capsized. They were found clinging on their overturned banca.
Investigation revealed that the passengers came from Barangay Tahusan in Hinunganan and went to Barangay Gibusong in Dinagat Island for recreational fishing when their motorized banca encountered a mechanical problem and capsized.
The Philippine Coast Guard, along with Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Silago, and Surigao Del Norte rescue personnel, found them near the Homonhon Island of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. (SunStar Philippines)