By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry passenger remains missing after reportedly jumping off last Monday while enroute to Bacolod City.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacolod station commander, Lieutenant Commander Ludovico Librilla, identified the victim as 38-year-old Rene Quilantang, a resident of Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Librilla said, based on statements provided by the crew and passengers of the LCT Archangels Navistar, they were heading to the Bredco Port in Bacolod City when Quilantang allegedly jumped off the vessel.

The ship immediately stopped and tried to rescue the victim, but the crew were not able to locate him.

The captain of the vessel eventually abandoned the search and notified the Bacolod City PCG station, which then took over the search and rescue operation.

Meanwhile, Quilantang’s wife Nida visited the PCG station in Barangay Banago last Monday after her husband did not return home.

Nida said her husband was in Capiz to visit relatives and they were expecting him home in Isabela on Monday.

PCG has since proceeded with a search and retrieval operation./DGB, WDJ