Two civilian agents of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group drowned while a policeman is missing after the motor banca they were riding in capsized in Lagonoy, Camarines Sur due to rough seas caused by tropical storm “Marce” (international name “Tokage”) Friday.
The Philippine Coast Guard identified the victims as PNP-CIDG civilian agents Tomas Rentoy VII and Isagani Dadis and the missing as SPO4 Edwin Pagao.
Initial information from the PCG said the motor banca with 14 passengers, including three crew, left Tamban Tinambac Port for a rescue operation in Garchitorena, Camarines Sur despite a no sail policy due to bad weather.
Their boat capsized due to strong winds and big waves caused by Marce when they reached the waters in the vicinity off Barangay Mapid in Lagonoy.
Eleven passengers were rescued and the bodies of the victims were recovered in a search and rescue operation by the Coast Guard Substation Tamban and the PNP.
Search and rescue teams are still looking for Pagao. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)