ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three environment workers and their boatman were missing at sea while returning to Zamboanga City from an island-resort, about 6 kilometers from here.
The trio, Badzair Attan, 46; Mudzmar Habing and Ibrahim Hassan, 37, who are working for the Protected Area Management Office of the local government, and boatman Rasbi Ambiting, 22, left the Santa Cruz Island on a motorboat at dawn Tuesday, but failed to reach the city.
Their boat was recovered near the island, but its bow was broken and both sides were also heavily damaged. It was unclear whether the boat had been rammed by a vessel or a bigger boat.
“The group did not arrive at their destination several hours after they left the island prompting authorities to conduct search and rescue operations.
Debris from the motorized pump boat were found at the Little Santa Cruz Island and in a coastal village here,” said Mayor Beng Climaco, who briefly joined the search for the missing environment workers and the boatman.
She said the navy, air force and coast guard personnel, including the army and policemen, were dispatched to find the missing. Climaco later visited the families of those who disappeared and briefed them of the progress of the search and rescue operation.
Climaco said the police have launched an investigation.
Elmeir Apolinario, head of the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said: “Authorities treat the incident as a maritime accident and not a terrorist initiated action.” (Zamboanga Post)
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