COTABATO CITY (MindaNews/27 March) – A boat with 18 persons on board capsized when a tornado struck in the middle of the Ligawasan Marsh in Sultan Sa Barongis town in Maguindanao at dusk Monday, killing 10 persons on board, six of them children.
Two other children, aged 3 and 5, are still missing.
The passengers were on their way home from a seven-day Kanduli for a departed relative, Maguindanao Provincial Police Director Rodelio Jocson said.
He said an investigation report showed heavy rains followed by a tornado struck the marshy area of Sitio Korongan in Barangay Tugal.
He said the report was delayed due to poor signal and the distance of the venue of the accident.
Six persons, including the pump boat operator, survived the tragedy.
Sultan Sa Barongis Mayor Alan Angas said local fisherfolk immediately conducted rescue and retrieval operations.
Killed were Kudtog Panonggo, 63; Seno Blah, 40; Baikung Kudtog, 30; Farida Kudtog, 28; Montoki Kudtog, 9; Benzar Makakwa, 8; Amilod Kudtog, 8; Paano Kudtog,7; Datu Manaot Makakwa, 6; and Mary Jane Makakwa, 4.
Still missing are five-year old Amer Kudtog and three-year old Samer Kudtog.
The survivors were identified as Ernie Motin, 30, the pump boat operator; Alaisa Saptola, 42; Brando Nando, 20; Normina Kudtog, 9; Saudi Kudtog, 7 and Alaisa Kudtog, 5. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)