Four crew members from a cargo ship that ran aground off Surigao del Norte have died, while 7 have been rescued and a search is continuing for 9 others, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday, April 21.
The crew of LCT Cebu Great Ocean abandoned the vessel, which was carrying nickel ore and 2,000 liters of diesel, before it ran aground on Monday, the coast guard said.
The bodies of the 4 crew members were found after being washed onto the shore, while the 7 were rescued in various parts of the southern province after reaching land, Gelly Rosales, a coast guard official, told Reuters.
A report by Elaine Pangilinan, station commander of the Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte, filed 1:30 pm, Wednesday, named the survivors and said where they were rescued. These were:
- Noli Labucay – rescued by PCG at Barangay Cayawan, Malimono, Surigao del Norte, now confined at the Malimono Regional Health Unit;
- Roger Polo (chief mate), Arjie Bacarra, and Joejie Villanueva – rescued by the PCG at Barangay Balite, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte; now confined at the Caraga Regional Hospital;
- Felipe Quebuen – assisted by a concerned citizen, now confined at the Caraga RH;
- John Renzo Guanzon – assisted by a local resident of Malimono; now confined at Malimono RHU;
- Junmar Galeos, rescued by PCG at Barangay Jubgan, San Francisco; now at Malimono RHU.
Pangilinan identified the fatalities as:
- Norman Galon was found by the residents along the shore of Barangay Balite, San Francisco;
- Michael Inoc was recovered at the shore of Barangay Jubgan, San Francisco;
- Jose Sherwin Laniba was also found at the shore of Barangaty Jubgan;
- Mark Evan Cuesta was retrieved at the shore of Barangay Mabua, Surigao City.
Rosales said the cargo vessel was taking shelter from rough seas off Jabonga, Agusan del Sur when its anchor reportedly broke causing it to drift until it ran aground.
The weather had been rough in the area due to Typhoon Bising (Surigae).
Disaster officials reported on Wednesday that 3 people had died and 10 were injured and one missing, in communities hit by strong winds, while tens of thousands remained in evacuation centers. – with reports from Reuters
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