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Sea tragedy claims 22 off Cagayan; 34 still missing


MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-two people died, including a one-year-old boy, while 34 others remain missing after a wooden-hulled ferry capsized off Cagayan province last Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. In a statement released Monday afternoon, the PCG said M/B Maejan sank due to big waves and strong current dragging the vessel until the vessel eventually capsized. The M/B Maejan capsized off 50 meters away from the shoreline Palloc village in Ballesteros town. Forty-six people have been rescued, the statement added. On Monday morning, the PCG has issued a statement, saying there were 28 fatalities, 22 missing and 46 survivors. The PCG, however - through Lt. Sr. Grade Gary Dale Gimotea, PCG PIO officer - revised this figure Monday afternoon, saying that they erred when they came out with the earlier figures. Gimotea further noted through a phone interview with GMANews.TV that the present list could change as search and rescue operations are still ongoing. He added that as of posting time the PCG manifest showed that there are 102 passengers on board the vessel when the tragedy happened. The PCG identified the 22 fatalities as: Amy Arellano Winifredo Agarpoa Angel Suarez Cristine Cagas Eva Llopis Ofelia Fadero Balmes Pax Escalante Asela Tamboa Abena Tan Arellano Ralaine Allado Marilou Menor Leonardo Lipos Bella M. Lipois An unidentified one year old boy Two unidentified female Six still unidentified bodies The 34 missing were identified as: Inus Liposi Raica Allado Ivonne Ydel Alegia Llopis Leonila Gorospe Fuldarico Gorospe Racheal Bumagal Desy Gorospe Ethel Jane Duerme Jason Misador Aaron tamboa Romelia Genova Generosa Ali Raymond Remolacio Aiza Sagon Nely Cangas Liezel Nunez Litong Nunez Isalas Orel Lety Bermejo Esperanza Duerme Karen Fadero Contancia Kelly Companion of Inus Llopis Lety Ubasa Ursula Duerme James Neil Duerme Greg Llopis Lilibeth Bermejo Salvacion Duerme Remy Mayor Relly Dela Cruz Adelyn Tan As of Monday afternoon, confusion over the figures continued with a separate report from Cagayan Valley Police Regional Director Roberto Damian that said that as of 5:30 p.m., the death toll rose to 23. Damian added that there are only 44 survivors and 31 are missing. Meanwhile, a GMA Flash report said that as of 3 p.m. there were 26 casualties and 28 were listed missing and 46 people have been rescued. The PCG statement said Amy Arellano, who was among the fatalities, was the owner of the ill-fated vessel. The statement said M/B Maejan left Calayan Island about 9:30 a.m. Sunday “but failed to enter the port of Aparri due to big waves and strong current until it was dragged and capsized at vicinity more ore less 50 meters from the shoreline of Pallog village" in Ballesteros town. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV
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