Three people are confirmed dead, and seven remain missing after two motor boats carrying 20 passengers capsized early morning on August 26, 2024, on their way to Caluya Island in Antique from Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.
The victims have been identified as Christopher Gajero from Tigaon, Camarines Sur; Marlon Belleca from Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite; and Mark Dellero from San Isidro West Goa, Camarines Sur.
As of August 29, 10 passengers have been rescued from the incident, while the search for the missing continues.
The Office of the Civil Defense in Western Visayas identified the missing individuals as follows:
- Vic Florendo – Bulao, Camarines Sur
- Roel Delloro – Mabini, Goa, Camarines Sur
- Joseph Delloro – Tingtingon, Goa, Camarines Sur
- Frankie Gajero – Tigaon, Camarines Sur
- Rosauro Delloro – Tingtingon, Goa, Camarines Sur
- Zaldy Pacis – Tigaon, Camarines Sur
- Christian Aguilar – Manila
The two motorbancas, one painted green and white with six people onboard and the other blue and black with 14 individuals, departed from Angol Point in Brgy. Manoc Manoc, Malay, Aklan, at 3:00 AM. They were expected to dock at Caluya Island by 6:00 AM but never arrived.
According to a report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Antique, the passengers were workers of the Equator Construction Company who had spent the long weekend in Boracay.
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at around 7:00 AM, two bodies were found along the shoreline of Carabao Island, Romblon, and were later identified as passengers from the capsized motorbanca.
Another body was recovered in Sto. Niño, Pob. Looc, Romblon, on Wednesday, August 28, at 9:20 AM.
The PCG Caluya received the initial report of the incident and immediately coordinated with CGSS Boracay, CGSS Buruanga, and the coastal barangays surrounding the island. They also visited the Equator Construction Company office to gather more information.
An investigation by the Coast Guard revealed that both motorbancas did not undergo the necessary inspection or secure clearance from the PCG.
Furthermore, they were not authorized to carry passengers and had departed from a remote area in Boracay—specifically Angol Point, Brgy. Manoc Manoc—at dawn to avoid detection by patrolling law enforcement officers.
The PCG pledged its full commitment to the search and rescue operation.
“The Coast Guard is fully committed to this operation. We understand the gravity of the situation, and we are doing everything possible to bring the missing individuals home safely. I want to assure everyone that the Coast Guard is on top of the situation,” read a statement from the PCG.
The PCG is appealing to the public to report any sightings of the missing motorbancas to the nearest coast guard station.
Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individuals and ensure accountability for the unauthorized and hazardous voyage.
