SAMAL ISLAND (January 28) — Mayor Lemuel “Toto” Reyes of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) has urged residents to temporarily avoid boat travel to Talikud Island, stressing that maritime safety advisories must be strictly followed as rough seas continue to pose serious risks.
Reyes on Sunday, Jan. 25, called on the public to postpone nonessential crossings to Talikud, citing strong winds and high waves and warning that safety rules are not optional, especially during adverse weather.
“Palihug kung walay mga importante gyud nga lakaw nga kinahanglan tabukon, avoid sa ta mutabok, labi na sa Talikud area, dagko kaayo ang balod ug delikado ang pagtabok karon. Ang kaluwasan sa tanan maoy una (If the trip is not truly necessary, please avoid crossing for now, especially in the Talikud area. The waves are very strong and conditions are dangerous. Everyone’s safety comes first),” Reyes said in a Facebook post.
The mayor said the city government is prioritizing public safety and coordinating with barangay officials and maritime authorities to ensure that advisories are observed, particularly by boat operators plying short-distance routes to Talikud.
Reyes also reminded operators and passengers alike that compliance with maritime regulations — including securing proper permits, observing passenger limits, and heeding weather bulletins — is a shared responsibility meant to prevent avoidable tragedies.
The warning comes in the wake of two recent maritime accidents in Mindanao that highlighted the dangers of sea travel amid rough conditions and alleged lapses in safety compliance.
On Jan. 19, the motorbanca MBCA Amejara capsized in the Davao Gulf after going missing. Authorities said the vessel departed Santa Ana Wharf in Davao City without the required permit and encountered rough seas. The boat was believed to be on what should have been a routine fishing trip from Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, with 15 people onboard.
As of Jan. 25, search and rescue teams have recovered six bodies, while nine people remain missing.
Another maritime tragedy struck Sunday when the triple-decker ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 capsized about five kilometers east of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province, off the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The 44-meter vessel was carrying more than 350 passengers. The Philippine Coast Guard reported at least 18 fatalities, 24 people still missing, and 317 passengers rescued.
Local officials reiterated that while weather conditions can be unpredictable, strict adherence to safety regulations and advisories can mean the difference between life and death, urging the public to place safety above convenience as rough seas persist in parts of Mindanao waters.
