More passengers feared dead in Masbate sea tragedy

MANILA, Philippines - The specter of more casualties from the sinking of the motor banca MV Dexter Kathleen off Masbate looms as authorities voiced fears Tuesday night the vessel may have been "overloaded." Provincial police director Sr. Supt. Reuben Sindac admitted the situation in the province is such that the loading of passengers is done informally. "Yes, I will not discount the possibility the numbers could be bigger," he said of the number of casualties in an interview on Q-11 television's News on Q newscast. When asked about the possibility that there are more passengers than the 119 in the ship's manifest, he said, "Yes, there is a tendency because of the informality of the system." As of 9:30 p.m., he said the 39 dead so far included four males and 35 females. Sindac said survivors were being treated at two hospitals in Dimasalang town, and those who have no injuries returned to their respective families. When asked if charges will be filed against the owner of the ship, he said it is up to the Coast Guard. "We will take that into strong consideration but I am aware it is the domain of the Coast Guard," he said. Earlier, he said that as per the manifest of the vessel, at least four people remained unaccounted for. At least 39 were reported dead and 76 rescued, he said. Masbate administrator Herminio Valdemoro earlier cited initial reports reaching him indicating more than 100 passengers were aboard the MV Dexter Kathleen. "Bigla sumama ang panahon dito, may whirlwind na umiikot, posibleng nahigop ang bangka (The weather suddenly turned violent, there was a whirlwind. It was possible the ship capsized)," Valdemoro said in an interview on dzBB. Sindac said the incident occurred between 1 to 2 p.m. as the craft was heading from Dimasalang in Masbate to Bulan in Sorsogon. He cited initial reports indicating the fatalities included three women and one infant. He also said there were at least 46 survivors. Also, he said there were life jackets aboard the ship but the waves were too sudden. - GMANews.TV