TWELVE persons, including an American national, were rescued after the motorized banca they rode for island hopping capsized in the waters off barangay Catarman, Liloan town, northern Cebu last Thursday afternoon.
Police said the banca came from Nalusuan Island and was nearing the lighthouse in Catarman when it encountered huge waves.
SPO4 Octavio Dela Paz said they received a report about the incident at 5:35 p.m.
A police team headed by Senior Insp. Ramil Morpos and Lipesmo, the town’s rescue team composed of barangay officials and tanods, immediately sailed to the area where the boat capsized.
Police said the 10 passengers, the banca operator and the boat owner were clinging to the capsized banca when the rescuers arrived.
The passengers were identified as Marianita Consuelo, 45; Jimmy Consuelo, 38; Anthony Consuelo, 12; Anicita Consuelo, 46; Anthony Jay Consuelo, 15; Victor Consuelo, 45; Eduardo Consuelo, 48; Al Jay Mark Consuelo, 22; Bella Santos, 50 and her American husband Dave Santos, 66.
Also rescued were Silvestre Sanido, the 66-year-old banca operator, and the boat owner Antonio Boy Casas.
The rescued persons were brought to the Liloan Provincial Hospital.
They were immediately discharged after they were cleared of serious injuries.