3 dead, 4 missing after boat capsizes in Cagayan amid Nando onslaught

Three crew members died while four others are missing after a fishing vessel capsized in Santa Ana, Cagayan on Monday amid the onslaught of Super Typhoon Nando. 

According to Nico Waje’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that six others survived and were rescued. 

The PCG said that the fishing vessel was docked at Santa Ana before the typhoon hit. Even though it was tied up, the winds and waves were too strong and it tore away from its moorings. 

“Natamaan sila ng malakas na hangin, ayun po ‘yung rason kung bakit sila tumaob”, said LTJG Anabel Paet, PCG-Santa Ana Station Commander. 

(They were hit by a strong wind, that's the reason why they capsized.) 

During storms, some crews remain aboard their fishing vessels in order to watch over them.

Erik Altamarino, a member of the ill-fated crew, said that they were trapped underneath the capsized vessel for three hours. 

“Mayroon po akong nakitang lubid, hindi na po ako bumitaw doon. ‘Yung aking dalawang kasama ay nakahawak na rin doon sa panangoy…Sabi ko sa isang kasama ko, huwag tayong iwanan, tayong tatlo, liligtasin na lang natin sarili natin,” he said. 

(I saw a rope and I didn't let go of it. My two shipmates were also holding on to the flotation device… I told one of them, we will stay with each other, the three of us, let's just save ourselves.) 

Meanwhile, the other crew members went to the engine room for safety. Some of the fatalities were found there, the report said.  

Ronaldo Roldan was one of the survivors who was found in the engine room. 

“Doon kami nahigop ng tubig papunta roon,” he said, adding that they survived with the help of a flashlight they had with them. 

(We were sucked by the water towards there.) 

The other survivors, on the other hand, swam to a nearby boat during the storm. 

Rommel Junaya, the owner of the fishing vessel, was not present during the accident. He is hoping that the missing crew members will be found. 

“Wala tayong magagawa, nandiyan na. Kalikasan,” he said. 

(We cannot do anything because it has already happened. We cannot do anything against nature.) 

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, the report said. 

Nando made landfall over Calayan, Cagayan on Monday, damaging several houses. 

Some residents have already started repairing their homes. 

“Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng panggastos ko ng bahay ko po,” shared resident Leilani Baligod. 

(I don’t know where to get money for the repairs of my house.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News