Coast Guard intercepts man's risky journey across the busy Iloilo Strait to Guimaras Island

• Joshua Mondejar, 22, was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on July 8 while trying to swim the Iloilo Strait to Guimaras, marking his second dangerous attempt in just over two months

• Mondejar's motivation for the hazardous swim was his strong desire to return to his family in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, despite residing in Iloilo City

• The PCG emphasized the extreme risks of swimming the Iloilo Strait, citing its heavy maritime traffic, strong currents, and the significant distance, all of which make such attempts highly dangerous

• The rescue operation was launched swiftly after a report that Mondejar was clinging to wood while attempting the crossing, highlighting the Coast Guard's crucial role in ensuring maritime safety

In a dramatic maritime rescue, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Iloilo Station successfully intercepted a 22-year-old man who was attempting to swim across the dangerous Iloilo Strait to Guimaras Island for the second time in just over two months.

The incident, which unfolded on Monday, July 8, saw PCG personnel pulling Joshua Mondejar from the waters as he neared the middle of the busy channel.

According to Ensign Marvince Genzola, spokesperson for PCG Iloilo Station, they received a report around 12:30 PM concerning a male individual attempting to cross from Fort San Pedro in Iloilo City towards Guimaras.

The report indicated that Mondejar was struggling, reportedly clinging to a piece of wood for buoyancy as he tried to navigate the open waters.

Responders rapidly deployed to the scene, locating and rescuing Mondejar approximately 45.72 meters from the Iloilo City shoreline, though he had already made significant headway into the strait.

Mondejar, a resident of Barangay Guiwanon, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, who has been staying in Molo, Iloilo City, was identified by his sister who contacted authorities after learning of his desperate attempt to return home.

His motivation for undertaking such a perilous journey was reportedly a strong desire to go back to his family in Nueva Valencia.

This marks the second recorded instance of Mondejar attempting to cross the Iloilo Strait in a hazardous manner.

Just over two months prior, on May 3, 2025, he also tried to traverse the waters from Poblacion South, Oton, Iloilo, towards Guimaras.

In that earlier incident, he resorted to using an improvised raft and was also rescued by maritime authorities while mid-strait.

The Iloilo Strait, a narrow body of water separating Panay Island (where Iloilo City is located) from Guimaras Island, is known for being a bustling maritime highway.

It features constant ferry traffic, cargo vessels, and fishing boats, making any unauthorized swimming attempt exceptionally dangerous.

Furthermore, the strait is characterized by strong currents, which can rapidly sweep even experienced swimmers off course or exhaust them, leading to potentially fatal outcomes like drowning or hypothermia.

The shortest distance across the strait is approximately 2.5 to 3 kilometers, a significant swim even for trained athletes in calm conditions, which the strait rarely offers.

The Philippine Coast Guard consistently advises the public against undertaking unauthorized and perilous crossings of the strait.

Established and safe transportation methods, primarily roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries and pump boats, operate regularly between Iloilo City and various points in Guimaras, providing reliable and secure passage for commuters and cargo.

Following his rescue, Joshua Mondejar was reportedly brought to the Coast Guard station for assessment and proper coordination with his family, ensuring his safety and well-being after yet another risky endeavor.

The PCG reiterated its vigilance in monitoring Iloilo's waters to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of those within its jurisdiction.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable. In some cases, crime stories also become viral due to their gravity. There are also cases that would often gain national attention.

In other news, garbage truck driver Cholan Binala, 43, died on the spot after crashing into a house and store in Binangonan, Rizal on July 8, 2025. Initial police investigation suggests possible brake failure as the cause of the accident. No additional injuries were reported, though parts of the property were severely damaged. The incident adds to a string of recent brake-related truck accidents across the country.

Still in other news, a 29-year-old female call center agent was stabbed multiple times during a robbery in Taytay, Rizal, while on her way home from work. The suspect, identified as alias “JR,” used an ice pick and fled with the victim’s cellphone. Police arrested the suspect at his home after tracing him through CCTV footage and recovered the stolen phone. The suspect admitted to the crime, citing financial hardship, and will be charged with robbery with frustrated h&micide.

Source: KAMI.com.gh