BY VICTOR REYES

AT least nine persons died when their motorized banca capsized off Concepcion town in Iloilo yesterday afternoon at the height of tropical depression Quinta, according to the regional civil defense office.

The Roleb encountered rough seas while sailing off Maliogliog village at around 2 p.m., said Rosario Cabrera, OCD-Western Visayas director Rosario Cabrera.

She said the boat should not have sailed as the area was under signal No. 1. She said the OCD and the Coast Guard received information from the weather bureau on the weather disturbance at around 10 a.m. yesterday.

Cabrera said officials were still determining the number of passengers and other details like the boat’s destination.

The sinking followed that of the ferry ML Don Dexter Cathlyn Tuesday in Masbate.

The OCD said the death toll still stood at 42, but the number of survivors rose to 105. Ten persons are still missing.

Search and rescue operations were called off after Masbate was placed under signal No. 1.

Bad weather also forced the cancellation of President Arroyo’s trip to Dimasalang, Masbate where she was earlier scheduled to distribute cash assistance to the victims.

A mass was held for the victims, officiated by Masbate bishop Joel Baylon.

Quinta was expected to be 300 km. west northwest of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro today and 670 km west of Iba, Zambales tomorrow.