THREE more bodies were found Tuesday, August 6, three days after three motorized bancas capsized in Iloilo-Guimaras Strait.
Two of the bodies, which were found between Negros and Iloilo, were carried to Iloilo port by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cape Engaño, while the other one was found near Guimaras Island.
The Iloilo-Guimaras command post, however, has not yet identified the bodies.
Also, based on its 3 p.m. Tuesday (August 6) update, only 28 fatalities were recorded.
The three motorized bancas that capsized Saturday, August 3, had a total of 83 passengers, according to data from the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMC).
The CDRRMC also said that 64 people survived the incident, while three others remained missing.
The missing persons were identified as Jhaeron Mars Salanatin, 13; Romnel Baguio, 31; and Daniel Baguio, 4.
SunStar, however, was able to talk to Maria Nieves Grandeza, one of the survivors, and she said two of the bodies found Tuesday, August 6, were those of Romnel and Daniel.
She said they were able to identify the bodies through the shorts they were wearing.
Grandeza lost her three-year-old son Jay Arvien and husband Romeo Baguio Jr. to the incident. Seven other members of the Baguio family also perished when M/B Jenny Vince capsized Saturday, August 3.
The Baguios were from Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.
Grandeza confirmed that Romnel and Daniel were brought to the Gegato Abecia Funeral Homes after they were found Tuesday, August 6. The bodies of seven other members of the Baguio family are at the funeral homes.
CDRMMC head Donna Magno, however, did not confirm yet the identities of the cadavers found Tuesday.
“We cannot declare yet na 30 na ang dead but then, we have to verify the names po sa doon sa listahan natin sa mga missing kasi, baka po mayroong mga wala sa listahan, hindi nakasulat sa manifesto at nakita yung katawan sa ibang lugar, so we still have to validate,” Magno said.
She also clarified that the number of passengers decreased, as they found out that there are names that had a “double entry” on the manifesto but were unable to join the three motorbancas.
Based on the data provided by the Iloilo CDRRMC, the fatalities include:
M/V Chi-Chi passengers:
* Jhairus James Alejado, 1
* Angelita Basco, 51
* Jhinny Condestable, 20
* Cynthia Elisario, 54
* Reycille Fenis, 18
* Elezar Galotera, 56
* Ma. Lourdes Gasangan, 36
* Adora Java, 54
* Jen Lloyd Salanatin, 9
* Claire Faith Sigua, 32
M/V Jenny Vince passengers:
* Andrew Valenzuela, 39
* Jaquelyn Alferez, 39
* Eden Perales, 37
* Ivy Grace Labordo, 28
* Danilyn Baguio, 27
* Romeo Baguio Sr.
* Angelina Baguio
* Romeo Baguio Jr.
* Jar Arvien Baguio, 3
* Bernardo Janson
* Jared Janson, 5
* Nena Gardoce, 59
* Rose Telis, 40
* Lemy Rumbla, 54
* Lynlyn Jonolino, 26
* Ma. Zenny Anilao
* Emily Legarda
* George Buenavista, 40
Missing
* Jhaeron Mars Salanatin, 13
* Romnel Baguio, 31
* Daniel Baguio, 4
The Iloilo City Government, meanwhile, has provided financial assistance to victims who are not from Iloilo. The families of those who died were given P10,000 each, while the survivors were given P5,000 each.
Families of the fatalities from Iloilo will receive P50,000 each, while the survivors will get P5,000 each.
The Provincial Government of Guimaras has also provided financial assistance.
As of Tuesday, motorboats plying the Iloilo-Guimaras and vice versa route were not yet allowed to sail by the PCG. (Carolyn Jane Abello/Leo Solinap/LMY/SunStar Philippines)