Navy Rescues Four Passengers from a Capsized Boat in Real, Quezon

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Sunday, 04 October 2009

Navy personnel aboard DF321 and M/B Mayon rescued four individuals from a banca that capsized 350 nautical miles off Puerto Real, Quezon, Thursday morning, 01 October 2009.

Reports reaching this Headquarters said that M/B RPN was bound for Puerto Real to buy provisions when they encountered strong winds and heavy rains that caused their banca to capsize. Navy personnel on board DF321 and M/B Mayon who saw the four floating in the open sea immediately rushed to the scene. The two Navy vessels were docked at the pier that time. Navy personnel threw life jackets and life rings to the distressed individuals and rescued the four with the assistance of a fisherman, Crisanto L Dumasian of F/B Golden Sea.

Rescued were Roberto P Gucilatar, the chief engineer and his three crew members: Jordan J Ramos, Cesar P Gucilatar, and Jessie D Juz. Their motor banca is owned by Quezon Governor Raffy P Nantes. None of the passengers were reportedly harmed by the incident. The four were turned over to local officials of Real, Quezon.

Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) which covers the area of Real has prepositioned Disaster Rescue and Response Teams (DRRT) in certain areas in time for typhoon “Pepeng.” With the shifting of the typhoon’s direction, NAVFORSOL’s DRRT remain on the alert for possible deployment and to respond anytime to any distress calls by the citizens. This clearly shows the Navy’s commitment in helping the national government uplift the welfare of the Filipinos.