DAPITAN CITY (Oct. 4, 2018) – On October 3, 2018 at 8:45AM, a phone call from Mr. Winston Dongon, Operation Manager of Pulauan Port, Dapitan City informed Dapitan City Police Station that one passenger of MV Fast cat M6 RORO Cargo Vessel, from Dumaguete City needs a medical assistance while underway to Port of Pulauan, Dapitan City.
After receiving the said report, personnel of Dapitan CPS proceeded to Pulauan Port.
Upon arrival on the said place, the PNP Maritime, PCG, PPA, Port Police and CDRRMO are waiting for the arrival of the said vessel.
Upon docking, the team immediately boards the vessel and search for the said passenger.
The crew of the vessel guided the team to the upper deck were the passenger located. The team found the lifeless body of the passenger identified as Michelle B Taruc, 32 years old, female, a resident of Brgy San Antonio, Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Initial investigation conducted by the personnel from 904TH Maritime Group of Zamboanga Del Norte and disclosed that, the subject person travelled from the Province of Tarlac going to Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay and accompanied by a certain Mr. Virgilio Baubay, 51 years old, male, resident of San Isidro, Municipality of Liloy, Zamboanga Del Norte.
While on board on the said vessel, subject person told her companion that she feel exhausted and suddenly collapsed. The crew tried to revive the subject person but she did not respond.
According to her companion, the subject person already suffered from liver cirrhosis and recently discharged from Tarlac Provincial Hospital and wanted to go home to see her mother.
Further, a post-mortem examination conducted by Dr. Rolito V. Cataluña, Dapitan City Health Officer revealed that said cadaver died due to cardiac arrest secondary to liver cirrhosis.
Several prescribed medicine were recovered from her personal belongings. The cadaver was brought to Gamalinda Funeral Homes, Dapitan City.
