By Paulo Loreto Lim

Following reports 54-year-old Chinese national Young Taihang was killed by a boat propeller while snorkeling off Apo Island, part of Dauin, Negros Oriental, local police recently arrested and detained the captain of the boat that fatally struck the tourist.

Police identified the captain as 28-year-old Juvy Baat, a resident of Barangay Liloan in Santander, Cebu.

According to Dauin Police chief, Police Inspector Bernabe Rubio, the victim’s wife, Lee Fungkiu, filed involuntary manslaughter charges, or reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, against Baat earlier this week before the Dumaguete City Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on reports, Baat claimed to have been aware of an individual in the water, but argued he did not think they would surface as his boat was passing.

The vessel has since been barred from operating.

Over the weekend, while diving, Young was struck in the head by a propeller from the vessel MBCA MILES II, which was captained by Baat.

The couple had been visiting from Hong Kong,/PLL, WDJ