Ermita in grief as bodies arrive

CEBU, Philippines — The remains of seven of the nine Cebuanos who perished in the sea tragedy in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on August 3 arrived in Cebu City yesterday.

Transported by a C-130 plane of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the bodies of Romeo Baguio Sr., Angelina Baguio, Romnel Baguio, Dannylyn Alima Baguio, Dannelle Alima Baguio, Bernado Janson, and Jared Janson were then brought to Ermita Sports Complex in Cebu City for their wake.

The wakes of Romeo Baguio Jr. and his three-year-old son Jay Arvien, on the other hand, are being held in Iloilo City as requested by his partner, Maria Nieves Grandeza, a native of Guimaras province.

Romhel Baguio, the eldest son of Romeo Sr., said the seven would be laid to rest on Sunday.

“The schedule though is not yet final. We still have to consult the rest of the family members,” he said.

Romhel thanked those who extended their help.

He said Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Ermita Barangay Captain Mark Miral promised to extend burial assistance to the families.

“We are in need of financial assistance for the burial. Aron malubong, mahimutang sila (So we can lay them to rest),” said Romhel.

Labella handed out P5,000 to each of the seven families last night. He also said he will write a letter to the Philippine Coast Guard requesting a deeper probe into the incident.

NO ONE TO BLAME

Despite the grief that has gripped the family, Romhel said it was an accident and that no one was to blame.

“Disgrasya man. Wa man to gituyo. Wa mi gibasol sa panghitabo (It was an accident. It was not meant. We are not blaming anyone),” he said.

The trip of the Baguios and Jansons to Guimaras was arranged so that Romeo Jr. could formally ask for Grandeza’s hand in marriage.

They had an overnight stay in Guimaras on August 2 before getting on another pump boat that was supposed to take them back to Iloilo City.

They left Guimaras for Iloilo City on August 3.

Unfortunately, the passenger boat that carried them was one of the three motorized bancas that capsized in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait that day due to a squall or a sudden gust of wind from a localized storm that brings rain, snow, or sleet.

The latest tally of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (NDRRMO) put the death toll at 31. — Jebert A. Sarsonas and David E. Mesias, CNU Interns/KQD (FREEMAN)