4 die in Maguindanao boat collision

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Four persons died while another was missing following a boat collision in the Rio Grande de Mindanao in Sultan Kudarat town in this province on Saturday night.

The bodies of Jomar Akir, Jowaina Saling and Ustadz Elmie Norodin were retrieved yesterday morning in Barangay Lugay-lugay, Cotabato City.

Pudi Giadel, the boat driver, was retrieved in Barangay Bucana.

Authorities have yet to find Sidik Esmael.

Akir and Saling were students, while Norodin was an Islamic theologian.

They were reportedly thrown overboard due to the impact of the collision.

Reports said the victims were among 10 passengers of a boat that sailed from Cotabato City to Barangay Katidtuan in Sultan Kudarat at around 8:45 p.m.

The boat was traveling along the river near Barangay Bulibod when it was reportedly hit by a smaller boat with three passengers on board.

Five of the 10 passengers of the bigger boat managed to swim to the riverbank.

The passengers of the smaller boat were taken to the police station for questioning.

The Rio Grande de Mindanao, also known as the Mindanao River, is the country’s second largest river system.