Found & Recovered: Bodies of the One Who Fell and the Two Who Jumped After to Save

The body of the young kid who fell from Starlight a Roll-on/roll off (RORO) ship and the two who jumped after to save the young kid had been found separately.

The body of twenty three year old Joanna Marie Realizo Tubunggan was seen floating and recovered near the shore of Brgy. Sumagui Bansud Oriental Mindoro. Her body was seen almost two hundred meters away from the shore. This was according to Lt. Cmdr. Terence Alsosa, Station Commander of the Philippine Coast Guard of Caticlan.

The floating body of the three year old son of Tubunggan was also later recovered. Despite already in the state of decomposition the bodies were positively identified by Tubunggan’s husband.

Meanwhile, in a report sent to Oriental Mindoro PNP Director Sr. Supt. Anthony Alcañeses, SPO1 Bienvenido Magadia of the Bansud town police included in its report the body of the man, who was earlier reported as Jonel Montes of Carles, Iloilo, to be one of those already recovered by rescuers.

Upon retrieval by rescuers composed of local fishermen, Coast Guard people and PNP operatives in the sea off Southern Oriental Mindoro, the victims’ bodies were immediately brought to the Bansud’s police station.

Boracay Parish Priests to be replaced

A major change is expected to happen at the Holy Rosary Parish church in Balabag this coming June.

Along with the reshuffling of priests in Aklan and other Provinces, the parish in Boracay is no exception although the island is often considered special.

Boracay's current Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Magloire 'Adlay' Placer is to be transferred to the town of Lezo.

Placer has served the island for eight long years.

While Rev. Fr. Rhenemar Villanueva, though he served the parish for only a little over than a year, will be transferred in Libacao.

In line with this, the formal turnover of the parish will be held on May 19.

Search and Rescue Ongoing for One Who Fell and Two Who Jumped After to Save

A search and recovery operation is ongoing as of press time for a kid who fell into the sea from a Roll-on/roll off (RORO) ship and two people who jumped into the sea from the same ship to save the kid Tuesday night.

According to the information from Lt. Cmdr. Terence Alsosa of the Philippine Coast Guard Caticlan, the Starlite ship was sailing from Roxas Oriental Mindoro going to Caticlan Tuesday night. After thirty minutes of sailing, someone noticed a female carrying an almost three year old kid trying to catch some fresh air near the railings of the ship. Allegedly because of sleepiness, it was possible that the mother, identified as Joana Realizo of Tigbawan, Iloilo dropped the young kid into the sea by accident.

Passengers were startled by the shout of the mother who then jumped into the sea to save her young kid. One passenger who was later identified as Jonel Montes of Carles, Iloilo, saw the incident and also jumped from the ship to save the mother and her young kid.

At present the three victims are still missing while a search and recovery operation by the Coast Guard is ongoing.

Kalibo International Airport to increase its Terminal Fee

The Kalibo International Airport (KIA) is now planning to have an increase on its terminal fee for both domestic and international flights.

According to KIA manager Percy Malonesio the Public Hearing for the said fee increase is due on May 24 in Kalibo.

The presence of the representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) from Metro Manila and Cebu are expected, as well as business personalities in the province of Aklan, especially those from Boracay.

It has been said that KIA is the last to have this proposition as almost all the airports in the country including the Caticlan/Boracay airport had already had their fees increased in the previous year.

Also Kia decided to have this appeal for an additional support for its daily operation.

In line with this, if the proposition be approved, the 40.00 peso terminal fee for domestic flights would rise to 200.00, while that of the international flight would rise from 500.00 to 700.00.

They have assured however that, if granted after the hearing, the public is said to expect a 

proclamation before its implementation.

Malonesio also cleared out that there will be no exemptions even as the passengers would be from the province of Aklan.

Hawk Bills in Boracay

Ninety seven newly hatched Pawikan (Hawk Bill Turtles) were discovered on the sand of a kitchen at a restaurant at Tambisaan, Brgy. Manoc-Manoc, Boracay on Monday morning.

According to information from Felix Balquin, Marine Biologist of the Local Government of Malay and Bantay Dagat, the Hawk Bills were discovered at a restaurant managed by Emelda Sevilla at Tambisaan. The Hawk bills were formally turned over to the Bantay Dagat for proper caring at noontime Monday.

It was learned that during sunset Monday, the Ninety seven Hawk Bills were to be released to the sea of Boracay.

Meanwhile, Balquin asked the public, that whenever they see turtle eggs or small Hawk Bills along the coast, to leave them alone and inform their Office immediately.

In the month of March, almost a hundred Hawk Bills were also saved along the coast of the town of Malay. The Hawk Bills were also later released to the sea along the coast by Bantay Dagat.