Cavite – bound banca, 12 passengers missing

CAMP GEN. PANTALEON GARCIA, IMUS, Cavite – A Cavite-bound motorized banca with 12 passengers, including four minors, on board was reported missing as of yesterday afternoon, after leaving a coastal village in Mariveles, Bataan, five days ago.

The missing passengers, belonging to three families from Naic and Amadeo towns in Cavite, were on board the blue and yellow M/B Christian, the Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

The Cavite PPO report identified 10 of the 12 missing passengers as Michael Platetas Baybay Sr., 39, Michael Peji Baybay Jr., 13, Levi Platetas, 62, Edwin Platetas, 36, Angelito Silva, 50, Christian Silva, 14, all residents of Barangay Latoria, Naic, Cavite; Ashley Digno Molina, 14, of Barangay Sabang, Naic, and Ramon C. del Rosario Sr. 60, Ramon del Rosario Jr., 34, and Zea del Rosario , 10, all of Barangay Poblacion in Amadeo, Cavite.

Both the PPO and PCG said that the two other persons missing were not immediately identified.

Officials said they were fishermen/banca operators.

The banca reportedly traveled back to Naic, Cavite via Manila Bay from Bataan at 2 p.m. Monday.

The families attended a fiesta on Sunday in Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, it was reported.

An unconfirmed report said that the banca was spotted when it stalled due to engine trouble near Corregidor.

PCG personnel from substations in Naic, Corregidor and Mariveles were conducting search operations as of presstime.

PCG – Naic coordinated the search operations after Violeta Baybay, 41, wife of one of the missing passengers, sought assistance.