One of Three Missing in Carles Sea Mishap Found

Iloilo City (PNA) -– The Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo has already found one of three missing in the sea mishap in the seawaters of Carles on Jan. 1.

Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo head Lieutenant Commodore Dominador Senador III said the body of Vincent Bartolome, 15, was found around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday floating along the seawaters of Naborot Island, also in Carles.

Dominador said the search for the remaining two missing, namely Anthony Bartolome, 14; and Jhay-R Besonia, 22, is on-going.

Anthony and Jhay-R were already confirmed dead after their bodies were initially found in Manigonigo Island, Carles and were tied at the motor banca but were swept away by the strong waves.

On-going search and retrieval operation is being conducted by the local governments of Carles, Estancia and Concepcion, and the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat.

Meanwhile, others confirmed dead were Cristel Jane Rualio, six; Kristoff John Rualio, two; and Jessabel Bartolome, 10 while the survivors include Ruffa Bartolome, 24; Jeramil Besonia, 26; Glory Jane Rualio, 26; Marivic Bartolome, 19; and Reynaldo Bartolome, 51.

To recall, the victims and the survivors were on board a motor banca from island-barangay of Asluman, where they spent their New Year and were already on their way home to another island-barangay of Lantangan, all in Carles, when their boat capsized after they tried to rescue Jhay-R who fell from the boat. (PNA) RMA/AJP/GPSOLOGASTOA/VLO