SHIP FIRE. The remains of MV Mercraft 2 off the coast of Baluti Island in Barangay Cawayan, Real, Quezon. Seven persons have died from the incident. (Photo courtesy of PCG) MANILA - Seven persons, including two senior citizens, have died on board a fast craft vessel after it caught fire off the waters of Real, Quezon on Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. In an incident report, the PCG said the MV Mercraft 2 passengers who perished include five females and two males. They were identified as Viola Impreso, 47; Marivic Samareta, 61; Edna Balanac, 64; Mina Enciso, 57; Charito Escareces, 57; Crisanto Debelles, 51; and Andy Tejares, 54. It was not immediately clear whether the victims died from the fire or from drowning. The vessel was carrying 126 passengers and eight crew members. Of the total rescued, 103 are in good condition and 24 suffered injuries. The captain, John Lerry Escareces, is currently being treated at Claro M. Recto hospital. Prior to the incident, the vessel le
Seven persons died while 24 others were injured when a passenger vessel with 134 people on board caught fire in the waters off Real in Quezon province yesterday morning.
SECURITY forces have captured the highest leader of the New People’s Army in Bukidnon, prompting military officials to declare that the communist-inspired insurgency in the province could be on the verge of being wiped out. In Masbate, policemen serving a warrant of arrest also killed five rebels during a firefight,…