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Four dead in boat collision in Maguindanao; one still missing
SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao - Four people died and one remained missing after two boats collided in Rio Grande de Mindanao on Saturday night.
The bodies of the three fatalities were discovered in Lugay-lugay, Cotabato City on Sunday morning.
The victims were identified as Ustadz Elmie Norodin and college students Jomar Akir and Jowaina Saling.
The body of boat driver Pudi Giadel, on the other hand, was found in Barangay Bucana in Cotabato City.
Search and rescue operations continue for the remaining missing person identified as Sidik Esmael.
Investigation showed two boats collided then capsized around 8:45 p.m. in the part of Rio Grande de Mindanao in Barangay Bulibod, Sultan Kudarat.
One was a passenger boat loaded with 10 people, all residents of Barangay Katidtuan in Sultan Kudarat, which left Cotabato City Port to go to the said barangay.
The second boat was a smaller pump boat with three people, all residents of Barangay Maydapa, Sultan Kudarat, on board.
After the collision, only five passengers were not able to swim to the riverbank.
Town administrator Ustadz Banjo Mampon said Mayor Datu Shameen Mastura immediately deployed a team from the municipal disaster team as soon as the incident was reported.
"We only found the victims this morning. We pray the one we are still looking for survived," Mampon said.
Mampon said the smaller pump boat hit the bigger passenger boat, resulting to severe damage.
"It seems both had no warning devices and lighting," he said.
The three passengers of the pump boat are now in the custody of Sultan Kudarat Police for investigation.
Troops from the 5th Special Forces, Cotabato City Rescue teams, Bureau of Fire Protection-Cotabato, READi BARMM and volunteer civilians spent all night helping local government personnel of Sultan Kudarat in roaming the stretch of Rio Grande de Mindanao to search for the missing passengers.
The river separates Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat from Illana Bay.
Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said motorized boats operating in the city waters will be checked if they have lights installed.
"We don't want an accident will happen like this again. This is for the security of the city which is accommodating strangers using the waters as their means of transportation," she said. —KG, GMA News
