A 52-year-old man was found lifeless on a shoreline in northern Cebu on Christmas Eve morning, following an apparent intentional jump from a passenger ship.
Details of the Maritime Incident
The victim was identified as Shilbert Escala Salimbangon, a resident of Barangay Kawit in Medellin, Cebu. According to a report from PO2 Ryan Arriesgado of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Salimbangon was a passenger aboard the M/V Cawayan Star.
The vessel was traveling from Polambato Port in Bogo City with Masbate as its intended destination. While the ship was navigating waters under the jurisdiction of Daanbantayan, the victim intentionally jumped overboard.
Search, Recovery, and Investigation
The PCG immediately launched a search and rescue operation but failed to locate him that day. His body was later discovered by a local fisherman, floating in the water off the coast of Calma, Calape in Daanbantayan at around 8:00 AM on December 24.
The body was recovered with no signs of life. Following an examination, Medico-Legal Officer Dra. Marielle Dominique Malaga declared the cause of death as suicide. The initial investigation found no evidence of foul play.
Personal Struggles Revealed
In a statement to authorities, the victim's sibling, Ruby Salimbangon Duba, revealed that her brother had been suffering from depression. This condition was reportedly linked to constant arguments with his live-in partner, who would frequently force him to leave their home.
Compounding his struggles, Salimbangon was also battling a severe eye ailment that was threatening to cause blindness. Despite the medico-legal findings, local police have stated that the investigation remains ongoing to ensure all details of the incident are clarified. The remains of Shilbert Escala Salimbangon have been released to the custody of his grieving family.
