3 dead after boat sinks in Mindanao’s longest river

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Three people died and two others went missing after a motorized passenger boat sank Wednesday, September 5, in Mindanao’s longest river.
 
The victims, most of them elementary students, were heading to University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato, to attend a Math Olympiad around 5:30 am on board a yacht and were cruising Rio Grande de Mindanao in Kabacan when the accident happened. Their vessel capsized due to big waves caused by another boat that overtook them, Gov Emmylou Mendoza said Thursday, September 6.

Thirteen passengers were rescued while authorities are still searching for two more missing, Maryjane Abarca, 42; and Grade 3 pupil Geneve Saliling.
 
The river, with a drainage area of 23,169 km, is the country’s second largest river system.
 
Mendoza said Lilibeth Mandayas, 42; Bobong Marabe, 43; and his 9-year-old son Bobs drowned. Their bodies were recovered hours after the mishap.
 
“I’m asking the people living along the river banks to help in the search for two missing students,” Mendoza said.
 
The boat said the victims’ boat can only accommodate 10 passengers but it was carrying 18 passengers. – Rappler.com