5 killed, 54 rescued as cargo ship sinks off El Nido, Palawan

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines --  (UPDATE, 4:15 p.m.) Five people were confirmed dead and 54 more were rescued after a passenger cargo vessel sank off El Nido, Palawan Tuesday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) said.

Undersecretary Benito Ramos said one of the fatalities was a minor while another was identified as Junjun Atienza, a crew member.

The MV Josille 2 owned by Atienza Shipping Lines and skippered by Capt. Jose Ramon de Castro sank at around 11 p.m. Tuesday hours after it left the Port of Liminancong. The vessel was  to stopover at  El Nido en route to Manila when it sank at the vicinity of Pagawanin Island.

Ramos said the vessel had 34 passengers and 12 crew members, but 13 more were on board and not listed in the passenger manifest.

Survivors were in Tent Island and will be given medical treatment.

"The vessel encountered heavy waves," the Coast Guard said earlier.

A Philippine Navy vessel (PG386) has been dispatched to the site of the incident to continue search and rescue operations.

Ferries are a main mode of transport in the Philippine archipelago of more than 7,100 islands, and sea accidents are common due to poor safety standards and overloading.

NDRRMC releases manifest

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Monitoring Center (NDRRMC) released the following names from the passenger manifest of the sunken ferry:
*note: only 46 are listed, 13 others are  without names as they are not listed on the passenger manifest
**note: names of dead not yet included save for one

1. Nita Huyo, 51 years old- passenger

2. Melchor Hicario, 42 - passenger

3. Rachelle Lagao, 15 - passenger

4. Annaliza de la Cruz, 32 - passenger

5. Julito Buenafe, 65 - passenger

6. Cristobal Esgana, 30 - passenger

7. Crizaldy Aguinaldo, 24 - passenger

8. Martiniana Quinte, 45 - passenger

9. Pamela Ann Clariza, 10 - passenger

10. Leonora Pena, 28 - passenger

11. Grace Sahagun, 31 - passenger

12. Jessa Mae Estarija, 18 - passenger

13. Lorie Antipolo, 18 - passenger

14. Carlito Melca, 37 - passenger

15. Aljun Joseph Sara, 20 - passenger

16. Emmanuel Esmeria, 21 - passenger

17. Mae Anior Cursaba, 18 - passenger

18. Beverly de los Santos, 17 - passenger

19. Mark Vergel Escasinas, 16 - passenger

20. Norma Obamos, 18 - passenger

21. Michael Alitagtag, 10 - passenger

22. Radie Vargas, 39 - passenger

23. Jackielyn Carandang, 16 - passenger

24. Estrella Erpe, 69 - passenger

25. Gloria Sanchez, 59 - passenger

26. Novelie Sanchez - 20 - passenger

27. Crisanta Esmane, 84 - passenger

28. Rotela Sanchez, 26 - passenger

29. Calleb Castillo, 33 - passenger

30. Nena Castillo, 64 - passenger

31. Israel Castillo, 35 - passenger

32. Cristine Angelo Castillo, 2 - passenger

33. Darlene delos Santos, 6 months - passenger

34. Mark Angelo Esmeria - 8 months - passenger
35. Jose Ramon Castro - ship captain

36. Severino Eliseo - chief engineer37. Jun Balanay - chief mate38. Roland Pitao - 2nd engineer39. Sandy Bia - quarter master

40. J. Vega - quarter master41. Marlon Ymas - quarter master42. Gelbert Acacio - chief cook43. Rodel Rivera - oiler

44. Hyndrix Lumagsao Jr. - oiler

45. Danilo Janda Jr. - apprentice

46. Junjun Atienza - apprentice* (confirmed dead)

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