22 Dead, 28 Missing As Boat Capsizes In Cagayan

[Steve]

SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/...apsizes-cagayanAt least 22 people died and 28 are missing after a vessel capsized in Cagayan, northern Luzon. Forty-six passengers survived by swimming to shore. According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commander vice admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, passenger-cargo vessel MB Maejan, with at least 90 on board, departed Calayan Island at around 9:30 p.m. Sunday but failed to reach Aparri after it tipped over due to strong waves upon passing Ballesteros town in Cagayan.The PCG has started search and rescue operations for the missing passengers.The 22 bodies were retrieved in Ballesteros and Abulog, Cagayan. Among the casualties were a Sangguniang Bayan board member Wilfredo Agarpao; the wife and children of the boat's captain; Amy and Abena Arellano.Among the survivors were the boat's captain, Albert Tan, and Francisco Ilopis, father of Calayan Mayor Joseph Ilopis. In an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Lt. Gary Dale Gimotea said the vessel was cleared to leave Calayan since storm Ulysses was still 670 kilometers away from the area. -- With reports from Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com; Brigitte Mayor, ABS-CBN News Cagayan; Junry Hidalgo, dzMM