3 dead and 3-year-old missing after motobancas capsize because of “subasko”
- Three individuals have been confirmed dead after a sudden, violent local squall known as a "subasko" capsized two motorboats off the coast of Aroroy, Masbate
- A massive search-and-rescue operation is currently scouring the Sibuyan Sea for a three-year-old boy who remains missing after the vessels went down
- Initial findings indicate that the boats left port without the required Philippine Coast Guard clearance, prompting an investigation into safety breaches
- In the wake of the tragedy, the Coast Guard Sub-station Aroroy commander has been removed from his post to allow for a transparent and impartial inquiry
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The festive spirit of the holiday season has been replaced by a heavy veil of grief in the province of Masbate following a disastrous maritime accident off the coast of Aroroy.
Source: UGC
On what began as a routine journey across the local waters on December 18, two motorboats—MBCA Three Seven and Three Seven II—were overtaken by nature’s sudden fury, resulting in three confirmed deaths and a frantic search for a missing three-year-old boy.
The victims were caught in a "subasko," a local term that strikes fear into the hearts of Filipino mariners.
A subasko is a sudden, violent squall characterized by localized heavy rains, fierce winds, and towering waves that can materialize in minutes, even when the broader weather forecast seems manageable.
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This particular storm hammered the vessels between the coastal villages of Gumahang and Sawang, capsizing them and throwing dozens of passengers into the churning sea.
While the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local rescuers managed to pull 34 passengers and eight crew members to safety, the victory was hollowed by the discovery of two additional bodies on December 19, bringing the total number of fatalities to three.
However, the most heart-wrenching aspect of the disaster remains the fate of a three-year-old boy. Despite the deployment of the Coast Guard Aviation Force and naval units, the child remains missing, with search teams now extending their reach into the vast Sibuyan Sea.
Beyond the natural elements, the shadow of negligence looms over the tragedy. Preliminary investigations suggest a glaring breach of protocol: the vessels reportedly departed without the mandatory clearance from the PCG.
This revelation has already led to swift administrative action, with the Sub-Station Commander of Aroroy being relieved of duty to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
As the Maritime Casualty Investigation Team (MCIT) begins its inquiry, the incident serves as a grim warning during the peak of the Philippine holiday travel rush.
For the families of those lost, the season of homecoming has turned into a season of mourning, underscoring the vital, life-saving importance of maritime regulations and the unpredictable power of the sea.
In other news, a violent road accident occurred late Thursday in Barangay Sulvec, Narvacan, involving a collision between a traveling motorcycle and a person crossing the street. The incident resulted in the untimely deaths of both the 30-year-old rider and a 65-year-old senior citizen, both of whom bore the brunt of the heavy physical impact. Emergency teams transported the two victims to a nearby medical facility with urgency; however, hospital staff confirmed they were already deceased upon their arrival. While law enforcement officers continue to reconstruct the events leading to the crash, the families of the deceased have requested privacy as they navigate the immediate aftermath.
Still in other news, Representative Romeo Acop has passed away at 78 following a heart attack, a development that stunned peers who believed he was safely recovering from a successful kidney transplant last month. Colleagues are paying tribute to Acop’s unique legacy as a disciplined former chief of the PNP’s CIDG who successfully transitioned into a meticulous and legally-adept lawmaker. As a key figure in the House Quad Committee, Acop was central to high-profile investigations into POGOs and systemic corruption, where he was celebrated for his "firm but fair" investigative approach.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
