Limasawa police chief, 5 others aboard pump boat missing in Southern Leyte

Search operations are ongoing for a police chief of Limasawa in Southern Leyte and five others after their pump boat went missing off the province since Monday afternoon.

The Philippine Coast Guard said Tuesday the six were heading for Limasawa Island when their pump boat went missing at the height of Tropical Storm Seniang (Jangmi).

In a post on its website, the Coast Guard identified the police officer as Limasawa police chief Richard Castañares. The five other passengers included four sacristans and the skipper.

Citing initial reports, the Coast Guard said the pump boat departed Barangay San Roque in Macrohon town at 2 p.m. Monday "despite a public storm warning signal prevailing at the area."

A separate report by radio dzBB's Manny Vargas said the pump boat should have reached its destination at 6 p.m. Monday.

Southern Leyte was one of the areas affected by Tropical Storm Seniang. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News