CEBU. The bodies of two minors who vanished on Thursday, July 13, 2023, while swimming off Barangay Panadtaran in San Fernando town, southern Cebu, were found early on Friday, July 14. (Photo by Benjie B. Talisic)
Jozel Apao, 13, and Frances Ramayrat, 16, both residents of Barangay Tungo in the said municipality, were identified as the victims.
They were discovered floating near the area where they swam.
According to Rommel Pinatil, head of the San Fernando Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (SFDRRMO), they received reports about the drowning incident past noon on Thursday.
Pinatil said the fishermen were already searching for the victims when they arrived at the area past 1 p.m.
The members of the Bureau of Fire, Coast Guard and Bantay Dagat and barangay tanods also helped in the search and rescue effort, which had to be stopped around 6 p.m. due to big waves and murky waters.
Jozel’s mother, Michelle Apao, complained that the rescue team lacked equipment when they got to the scene.
She said one of the members of SFDRRMO even told her to go to the police station to report the incident even though they are the ones having the capability to contact the police using their portable radio.
The victims’ families also expressed dissatisfaction with the SFDRMMO for failing to look after them while they awaited word of their sons’ whereabouts throughout the search and rescue effort.
When questioned about the allegation, however, Pinatil claimed to be unaware of it and asserted that in times of emergency, they will respond immediately, carry equipment, and contact the police, firemen, barangay tanods and the members of Bantay Dagat for assistance.
He did, however, acknowledge that they, like other agencies, lack equipment, so they look for solutions to the issue so they can perform their task.
“Nanghawa mi dinhi gabii naman. Unsa may pasabot ninyo pagabihian mi ninyo dinhia? Wala naman mi mahimo kay tungod sa bawod sa dagat unya ngit-ngit sad. Dili nalang diay mi mo uli sa among balay aron magpahuway?” Pinatil answered.
(It was already night when we left here. What do you mean letting us stay here until the evening? We were powerless to act because of the big waves and then it was dark. Don’t we just go home and rest?). (BBT, TPT)
