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    As tales of heroism emerge, PSC launches probe into Boracay dragon-boat tragedy

    As tales of heroism emerge, PSC launches probe into Boracay dragon-boat tragedy
    Sep 28, 2019
    PHOTO: Coast Guard Station Aklan

    PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez ordered on Friday an investigation into the accident which claimed the lives of seven Boracay Dragon Boat Club members in Sitio Tulubhan, Manocmanoc, Boracay last Wednesday.

    Ramirez issued the directives on the same day his people from the sports agency visited the surviving members and the bereaved families of perished members of the dragon boat club after rough waves capsized their boat.

    With the tragedy killing seven paddlers in the team, Ramirez sent National Sports Associations (NSA) Affairs Chief Annie Ruiz to visit the hospitalized athletes and the families of the deceased. The PSC team travelled across islands in Aklan to reach each member and household.

    Ruiz first checked team captain Von Navarrosa who is currently confined at the Saint Gabriel Medical Center, then proceeded to Libacao to sympathize with the kin of Mark Vincent Navarrete, a member who tried to save fellow team mate John Vince Natividad who also did not make it. The two were the last bodies to be recovered.

    Ruiz' group also stopped over to Ibajay to give condolences to Richel Montuya who once tried out for the national team.

    Members Kenneth Bandalan, Jaylord Violanda, Marc Sabadao, and Kathleen Sabadao were present in the wake of Montuya.

    Bandalan, who works as a lifeguard in Boracay, painfully recalled how he tried to save Supranes and Montuya first by lifting them back to the boat, but both eventually drowned.

    He shared how after saving the two, he swam 200 to 300 meters back to the shore to ask for help but came back to see some of his fellow members already unconscious.

    He said he was aware some of their team mates are not capable of swimming, including Supranes and Montuya.

    "Noong umalis kami, okay naman yung alon. Hanggang sa noong nasa malayo na kami, tatlong magkakasunod na alon yung humampas sa bangka namin. Napuno ng tubig yung bangka kaya nag-panic na 'yung iba. Nagui-guilty ako kasi hindi ko alam kung tama 'yung ginawa ko. Kung nag-stay ako doon, baka pare-pareho kaming mamatay, pero pinili kong lumangoy pabalik para mas maraming mabuhay," he recalled.

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    The PSC extended financial support to the families of the fatalities.

    Chairman Ramirez said he wants the investigation results by next week as he is also reporting to Sen. Bong Go and the Office of the President.

    "The mandate of the PSC is amateur sports so we will exercise our authority to get to the bottom of this. This should never happen again," said the PSC chief.

    Executive Director Merlita Ibay and the PSC Legal compose the fact-finding group.

    Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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    PHOTO: Coast Guard Station Aklan
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