by Roel N. Catoto
SURIGAO CITY – An Australian sailor died in the waters off Siargao Island following an attempt to sail from Australia to Subic Bay.
Police reports said Anthony John Mahoney, 73, of Queensland, was already unconscious when spotted at around 10 a.m. Sunday by local fishermen, Jonnifer Piosang and Albert Murillo, hanging on a buoy some 50 miles off Siargao together with countrymen, Lawrence Alered Mallea, 68, and Lionec Peter Ansselin, 74.
Mallea and Ansselin, who is at present residing in Baccuit Sur in Bauang, La Union, are now receiving treatment at the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City.
PO3 Evelyn Tidula, of the Tandag police, said the three were sailing from their home country to Subic Bay aboard a yacht that capsized due to what has been described as a “hole.”
They have been holding on to the buoy for six days prior to their rescue.
“Based on the post-mortem examination, Mahoney died of severe dehydration,” Tidula said.
Chief Supt. Noli A. Romana, police director in Region 13, ordered Surigao del Sur police to conduct further investigation on the incident.
He also directed his men to monitor the status of the survivors and to give notice of the matter to the Australian Embassy.
