Passenger missing as boat capsizes in Occidental Mindoro river

Authorities are searching for a 19-year-old student who went missing after the motor boat she was on capsized in a San Jose, Occidental Mindoro river Friday afternoon.

The victim, identified as Leah Mangao, was the sole casualty from the sinking.

San Jose Police investigators said that Mangao and eight other passengers were aboard the boat, which was supposed to take them from Barangay San Agustin to Sitio Lamis.

While crossing the river, the strong river current ripped the bamboo balancer (Katig) off the boat, which then capsized.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (MDRRMO) Engineer Gil Gendrano informed the local police station of the sinking and personnel from the MDRRMO, San Juan MPS, and Philippine Coast Guard started a search-and-rescue operation.

The emergency response teams were able to rescue the eight other passengers: Henry Niluani, Editha Pastorga, Jessa Montecalbo, Benjie Laurente, Jaypee Mahinay, Zean Kyle Baldomero, Joenen Cornejo, and Jeffrey Baron.

All the passengers were residents of Sitio Lamis. — Jessica Bartolome/DVM, GMA News