Nineteen people, including three children and a senior citizen, were rescued after their motor banca sank in waters off Olango Island and Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City early Tuesday, November 3, 2026, according to Lapu-Lapu City Rescue.
At a glance
- Rescued: 19 passengers, including three children and a senior citizen
- Boat: MBCA Clares, from Jagoliao Island in Getafe, Bohol, to Pasil, Cebu City; left around 2:30 a.m.
- Where: waters off Olango Island and Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City
- Rescuers: MV Edgel Express V and Philippine Coast Guard personnel; passengers brought to Hilton Wharf
- Investigation: PCG Lapu-Lapu City Station is looking into the boat's captain
The passengers — residents of Cebu City and Mandaue City — were returning home after visiting cemeteries for All Souls' Day when the incident occurred.
Engine Failure Allowed Seawater Into the Vessel
Lapu-Lapu City Rescue reported that the boat's engine malfunctioned during the voyage, allowing seawater to enter the vessel and causing it to sink. The City Public Information Office identified the stricken craft as the MBCA Clares.
According to the Lapu-Lapu City Information Office, the MBCA Clares departed from Jagoliao Island in Getafe, Bohol, at around 2:30 a.m., bound for Pasil in Cebu City, when the mishap took place.
MV Edgel Express V and Coast Guard Carry Out Rescue
All 19 passengers were rescued by the MV Edgel Express V and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel. The survivors were subsequently brought to Hilton Wharf, where city rescuers attended to them.
The Lapu-Lapu City Information Office said the passengers were given food and medical assistance before being transported to their respective homes.
PCG Investigating the Boat's Captain
The Philippine Coast Guard Lapu-Lapu City Station has opened an investigation into the boat's captain following the incident, according to the Lapu-Lapu City Information Office.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Lapu-Lapu City Information Office and Lapu-Lapu City Rescue