A Chinese national died, while three others are confined to a hospital, after the motorboat they were riding capsized yesterday near the Boracay Terraces Resort at Station 1 in Malay’s Barangay Balabag. Authorities identified the fatality as Hong Fang Juai of Suzhou, China who was declared dead on arrival at Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital.
The hospitalized victims were also identified as Chinese nationals, Le Lu, Lou Mei, and Gao Yue.
According to Malay Municipal Police Station chief, Police Lt. Colonel Jonathan Pablito, the four, along with 18 other passengers, were aboard the M/V Jovilyn 1 when they encountered strong waves, which flipped the vessel over.
“The fatality, maybe, did not know how to swim that’s why she was drowned,” the police official explained. “If you are wearing a life jacket hindi ka agad malunod kahit hindi ka marunong lumangoy, pero kung wala talagang malunod ka (Even if you do not know how to swim but are wearing a life jacket, you will not drown immediately; however, if you aren’t wearing a life jacket, you will drown).”
“We have to investigate because [the] captain should make sure that all [of] his passengers are equipped with life jackets,” he added.
The law enforcement official noted, based on a picture provided, it appeared the passengers were not wearing life jackets./WDJ