Student Jumps Off Ship, Missing

[Medic Mike]

Saturday, November 2, 2013

CEBU -- A 21-year-old college student who reportedly jumped off a passenger ship last Thursday remained missing, as of Friday.

Janus Sabas, deputy commander of Philippine Coast Guard (CG)-Cebu Station, said their detachment in Danao City is still looking for Jay Ignalig of Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

According to initial investigation, the incident happened around 3 p.m. in the waters off Camotes Island, Cebu, while MV Wonderful Stars was sailing to the Cebu mainland.

“Ayon sa kanyang kaibigan, parang wala daw siya sa maayos na katinuan (His friend said Jay was not in the frame of mind),” Sabas told Sun.Star Cebu.

Marine protest

Sabas said the skipper of the vessel, which is owned by Roble Shipping Inc., is preparing to submit a marine protest.

The CG will then evaluate what happened and they will submit the outcome to the Maritime Industry Authority.

A marine protest is a narration of what happened before, during and after an incident. Its purpose is to protect the ship’s owner from liability.

In an interview over radio dySS, Lydia Ignalig, Jay’s mother, said her son had gone to Isabel, Leyte with a friend and was on his way home.

Lydia said she was shocked when the ship’s captain told her about the incident.

She said she was told the ship went back to look for Jay after being notified by other passengers that there was a man overboard, but the crew couldn’t find him.

Lydia said her family is confused about the time the incident reportedly happened since the ship was supposed to dock in Cebu at 2 p.m. They also couldn’t reach Jay’s friend.

She also said her son may have been depressed after she admonished him for using his tuition money on something else.

Lydia added that Jay and in his girlfriend were not on good terms and that could have made him more despondent. (Sun.Star Cebu)