A member of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) bound for the Province of Antique for an assignment rescued a passenger in a man-overboard situation in the vicinity of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. 

PO1st Rene Cabañera was on board the ship that sailed from Toledo City Port in midwest Cebu when a man jumped reportedly into the waters.

Cabañera jumped into the waters to assist the crew in a response to a man-overboard situation. 

The incident happened past 4 p.m. on February 26, 2025.

In a video taken by a passenger identified as Niño de Jesus Pancho, the man was seen floating in the waters of Tañon Strait, in the vicinity of San Carlos City.

Seawaters at that time were choppy because of strong winds.

Ensign John Hoffer Olis, deputy for operations of Coast Guard Station Negros Occidental identified the man who went overboard as a certain “Rey" of Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.

The video showed that another passenger tried to save the man but failed because of the huge waves.

“Nakaambak na gyud siya (lalaking pasahero) noh, nakit-an siya ni Jeffrey Tabolo, 28 years old, taga-Sagay City, sa dihang nakit-an ni Mr. Jeffrey, nagpahibalo dayon siya sa atoang mga crew sa barko, dayon atong hitaboa, mayra pud kaayo kay naay sakay nga Coast Guard,” Olis said.

The rescue operation spanned close to an hour.

The PCG verified that “Rey” has challenges in his romantic relationship, and that he has just lost his job.

Upon arrival of the ship in San Carlos City, members of the PCG and an emergency team assisted the man.

Meanwhile, the netizen who took the video said that it was a good thing other passengers saw the man when he leaped into the sea.

“Oo naa gyud nakakita nga nilukso siya kay nagdaganay man, paglukso niya nabal-an man dayon, naay nilukso, mao to, nagdaganay dayon mi sa lubot sa barko, paglantaw namo layo na siya tungod sa kakusog sa hangin, ang current sad sa tubig, dali kaayo siya nalayo sa barko. Ingon lage ko nga sus og wala pa lagi nakakita di gyud mapuslan tawhana,” Pancho said.

The man is already in safe condition, as of this writing.