Woman drowns, 14 rescued in Leyte boat capsize

TACLOBAN CITY , Philippines — A 65-year-old woman drowned and was declared dead on arrival at the Limasawa Southern Leyte Rural Health Unit while 11 other passengers and three crewmembers were rescued when a motorboat capsized in the waters off Southern Leyte on Monday.

The fatality was identified as Adelaida Palero.

The boat reportedly capsized amid strong waves and wind spawned by Tropical Depression Falcon.

Kelvin Guial of the Philippine Coast Guard district office said it took a couple of hours before personnel of the PCG and Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Offices of Limasawa and Padre Burgos towns rescued the victims.

Sgt. Jeff Alvarez of the PCG-Maasin district said sea travel in the waters off Eastern Visayas was suspended yesterday due to inclement weather. – Jaime Laude