A CALL center agent who allegedly fell from a roll-on, roll-off (roro) vessel was rescued by fishermen after he was found floating at the waters off Polo Bilog, which is 10 kilometers away from the shoreline of Barangay Punta Taytay in Bacolod City around 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 18.
Authorities identified the victim as Michael John Balsomo, 28, of Sitio Proper-A, Barangay Balicotoc in Ilog, Negros Occidental.
Lieutenant Edgar Allan De Guzman, deputy chief of Police Station 9, said Thursday, May 19, that Balsomo was rescued by the fishermen Romy Palomo, 42, and Mark Calida, 32, both residents of Barangay Punta Taytay, along with their two other companions.
He was immediately brought to the Barangay Pta. Taytay Hall for medical assistance and was turned over to Police Station 9.
Balsomo told the police that he boarded the roro vessel around noon from Dumangas Port in Iloilo City going to Bredco Port in Bacolod City.
While he was standing near the railings, Balsomo accidentally fell from the vessel around 12:30 p.m. and was found by the fishermen around 6 p.m.
De Guzman said Balsomo, a call center agent in Iloilo City, is now in stable condition. He was already turned over to his family around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18.
He said Balsomo survived by just swimming for almost six hours until he was found by the fishermen.
"Maybe, the crew and the other passengers of the Tristar vessel did not notice that he fell from the vessel," he added.
De Guzman noted that Balsomo availed his vacation leave and travelled alone via roro, adding that they already coordinated with the Maritime Command (Maricom) for further investigation.
Based on their own findings, Philippine Coast Guard-Northern Negros Occidental head Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio said while Balsomo was standing near the railings, he accidently slipped and fell from the vessel.
Mercurio said Balsomo was traveling alone and no one noticed that he fell from the vessel.
The management of Tristar vessel already coordinated with the family of the victim for possible assistance, he added.