2 die, 13 missing in RORO sinking off Masbate

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday announced that the death toll on the sinking of the roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel, M/V Mt. Carmel, has climbed to two with 13 persons still missing.

The ship sank off Burias Island, Masbate around 5 a.m.

Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, PN spokesperson, said that 42 out of the 57 passengers and crew of the ill-fated vessel have been rescued as of this posting.

He initially identified one of the fatalities Carlota Zena, 59, from Balino, Masbate and Erlinda Julbitario, 49.

On the other hand, some of the survivors are: Capt. Mateo Gregorio, KV Menendez, Meilven Plasa, Jode Cosido, John Vico, Charlie Baldos, Jomar Mobale, Brian Pero, Jolandi Reymond, Mulbert Codillo, Nobelito Gomez, Recto Topel, Noel Agbayani, Al Tamayo, Danilo Agbayani, Gilbert Bongon, Benjamin Binesal, and Domingo Tayoto.

Fabic said those rescued were taken to Aroroy Masbate Health Hospital.

Reports reaching PN headquarters in Manila showed vessel left the port of Pio Duran in Albay about 2 a.m. bound for Aroroy, Masbate.

MV Mt. Carmel, commanded by Capt. Lando Mateo, had 21 crew members and 35 passengers, two buses, and one six-wheel truck on board.

Fabic said the Naval Forces Southern Luzon based in Legaspi, Albay has dispatched one patrol craft (DF-321) with one team of SEAL divers and an Islander aircraft from Cebu to assist in the search and rescue operations.

According to both the Navy and the Office of Civil Defense in region 5, the weather was not inclement at the time of the incident.

The Navy's Islander aircraft (PNI311) is conducting air search and rescue operations. (PNA)