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16 escape midsea death; Stranded in virgin islet
Sixteen
people aboard a Bohol-bound passenger boat from Leyte escaped what could have
been a midsea tragedy at the height of storm Frank yesterday morning.
MB
Lolita 2 was pushed by roaring big waves until its skippers spotted the uninhabited
Canigao islet, a part of Matalom town in Leyte, to where they steered their boat
for safety.
The
boat, which has a capacity of 69 people, had only nine passengers and seven crewmembers
aboard.
The
stranded crewmen and passengers had no food to eat in the island where no one
lives.
The
passengers included workers of the Tagbilaran City outlets of Dunkin Donuts and
Dragon Fireworks.
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Alarmed of the
distress, Rep. Edgar Chatto quickly contacted thru mobile phone Leyte Gov. Petilla
thru her mother Rep. Matin Petilla, Rep. Carmen Cari and Southern Leyte Gov. Mercado
to extend all possible assistance.
The
island where the crewmen and Boholano passengers sought safety belongs to Cari's
district.
Assistance
could not be rushed to the island since it was still too risky to cruise until
later yesterday afternoon when Chatto finally received a txt message from Cari
informing that she was on the way to Matalom with bread, noodles and canned goods. |
Cari told
Chatto that Matalom Mayor Eric Pajulio also dispatched two boats carrying foods
and other basic necessities.
Megs
Pacamalan, wife of one of the boat passengers, called Chatto for help. She was
able to contact the solon thru Celia Te of Cell Depot here.
Chatto
and Dennis Du of Dunkin Donuts and Dragon Fireworks coordinated thru phones in
getting links with the Coast Guard here and in Ubay.
Thru
Du, the congressman managed to contact the owner of the boat and asked him to
do all he could to save the passengers and crewmen.
Chatto
also finally contacted the boat captain, Danny Herbolingo, who begged the solon
to find means rescuing them or sending immediate provisions like food.
The
boat could not cruise back to Leyte because of the turbulent waters.
Early
last night, the Cebu-based boat owner, Jun Obligado, and the captain separately
texted Chatto, thanking him for facilitating the aids brought to the islet by
the Leyte officials.
The
boat left Bato, Leyte for Ubay early morning yesterday but met strong waves and
wind until it took shelter in the islet.
The
crewmen and passengers had to eat young coconut until the food assistance arrived.
(Ven rebo Arigo) | 
