(Wake of Andrew Valenzuela, the Abu Dhabi school teacher who perished in the Guimaras-Iloilo sea tragedy. Photo by Ernie Esconde)
SAMAL, Bataan — A survivor on Wednesday claimed rescue was late and the boat that carried them lacked communications equipment that contributed to the death in the Guimaras-Iloilo Strait that resulted to the of 28 people (as of Sunday), including three of his co-teachers.
“I think sadyang napakasakit na isipin na maraming buhay ang nawala. Para lang maging wake-up call sa atin ang nangyari, sana maging tulay ito para mapabuti at magkaroon ng sistema,” Mark Angelo Subaldo, 36, of Sultan Kudarat said.
Subaldo who has been teaching in Abu Dhabi for nine years was in Samal, Bataan and accompanied the remains of Andrew Valenzuela, 39, one of his three co-teachers who perished.
“Mabagal ang response. Ang daming what if’s. Kung na-trace lang nila na may parating na masamang panahon o kung hindi nila in-assure sa pasahero na safe nang tumawid hindi sana mangyayari ang ganito. Sa amin kasi nagask talaga kami ng assurance na safe at sinabi ng authorities na safe na tumawid,” he said.
He claimed that the boat they took had no communications equipment: “Kahit radyo wala ang bangka para sana mabilis malaman na may nangyayari sa amin. Talagang walang radyo at may narinig lamang ako na dalawang putok.”
He said that they left the Guimaras Port for the Iloilo Port at about 3:04 p.m. of Saturday and they were brought to the hospital at 4:45 p.m. “Ang time frame napakatagal. Kung 3:10 p.m. kami nasa gitna at nangyari ang trahedya that’s around 1 hour and 30 minutes ang struggle namin,” the survivor said.
He said from the Guimaras Port they were bound to the Iloilo Port then to Bacolod City for their respective homes after cancelling their planned island hopping in Guimaras due to report of a low pressure area.
He noted that while at the Guimaras Port, they already saw people being rescued from the 12 noon tragedy so they decided not to go on with their trip and just to stay overnight on a videoke.
“Nang pabalik na kami sa van, narinig namin ang sigawan ng mga tao at mga authorities na safe na at pwede nang tumawid, ” Subaldo said, adding that they rode their boat that left the pier at about 3:04 p.m.
“After 10 to 15 minutes of travel, na-notice ko sa left side ko sa gawing Iloilo Port na masyadong madilim at sa other side maliwanag. Pinakalma ko mga kasama ko kasi nakikita ko na nagwo-worry sila at sabi ko malapit na,” he said.
Canvas down
He said the boat crew noticed that it was dark at the side of the Iloilo Port and was about to rain so they put down the canvas that served as roof for the vessel.
“Biglang malakas na hangin ang humampas sa bangka namin na naging dahilan ng pagtaob. Sobrang lakas, try namin stabilize ang bangka. Sumigaw ako na lumipat sa kabila ang mga kasamahan ko. Nakalipat sila kaso sa sobrang lakas ng hampas ng hangin, segundo lang automatically tumaob ang sinasakyan namin,” the survivor said.
He remembered there were 36 passengers with 10 of them in the group, eight teachers from UAE, and the boat capacity was said to be 40 passengers.
“Nang tumaob na ang bangka, marami kaming natrap sa loob kesa sa nakalabas. Sa loob napakadilim maririnig lang ang boses na nagpa-panic at saka siksikan. Biglang umangat and tubig sa loob. Tumaas agad. Lahat kami nakalife-vest, nakatingala kaming lahat trying na makahinga. Parang wala ng space para huminga dahil taas- baba na ang tubig,” he said.
Subaldo said he decided to take off his life vest and swam outside. He forced his way from the canvas and the “katig” and finally got out but after suffering bruises.
“Nakita kong may nakataas na kamay, hinawakan ko nakita ko ang relo at sabi ko si Andrew ito. Try ko siyang hatakin pero hindi ko makaya at mabuti na lamang at may tumulong sa akin,” he said of trying to save Andrew Valenzuela.
Valenzuela was taken out of the capsized boat, breathed when revived but was later pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. Two of their women co-teachers were among those trapped in the boat and their bodies found on Sunday.
Trapped
“Sila ang na-trap sa lona. Kung hindi lang siguro naibaba ang lona or kung hindi iniwan ng Coast Guard ang bangka, malamang buhay pa sila at kung mabilis ang response nila kasi ang tagal naming naghintay sa gitna ng dagat,” Subaldo said.
He noted that while some of their belongings were retrieved, many valuables were missing: “Walang log-in system, hindi nakarecord kung kanino nila nakuha ang bag. Sana maging wake-up call para maging maayos.”
Subaldo thanked all those who helped them in the tragedy like a group from Tacurong City in Cotabato who were in the area, the OWWA, DSWD, NGOs and the local governments of Iloilo and Bataan.
Guillermo and Corazon Valenzuela, Andrew’s parents, also were profuse in thanking those who helped for the transport of their son’s remains like a certain councilor Dela Rosa, the mayor and governor of Iloilo, DSWD, Villamor Airbase and Vice Gov. Cris Garcia of Bataan.
“Maraming salamat sa paggabay para maiuwi ang mga labi ng aking anak. Hindi inaasahan na mangyayari ang trahedya na ito,” the mother said. She asked that those responsible be punished.
“Sana magkaroon ng pananagutan ang mga kinauukulan lalong lalo na ang Coast Guard at mismong bangkang sinasakyan niya. Magkaroon sana kayo ng budhi kung bakit nangyari ito sa kanya. Panatag ako na makakauwi ng buhay ang anak ko kung hindi kayo nagkaroon ng kapabayaan sa inyong trabaho,” Corazon said.
