Korean tourist killed, 2 wounded in banana boat accident in Lapu-Lapu City

CEBU City, Philippines—A female Korean tourist was killed while two others were wounded on Sunday noon when the banana boat they were riding was hit by a pumpboat in Barangay (village) Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City.

The fatality was identified as Ji Sung Sok, 50, of South Korea, said Police Officer 2 Carlos Barluado, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office homicide section investigator.

Her companions were wounded and were taken to the Mactan Doctors Hospital. Lee Og Kyung, 51, suffered head injuries while Park Mi So, 52, had cuts on the lip.

The three Koreans boarded a banana boat, which was being pulled by a jet ski driven by Giovanni Paquibot.  Paquibot, 38, of Olango Island, Cebu, was supposed to bring the banana boat passengers to a coral reef area in the waters of Sitio (settlement) Looc, Barangay Maribago.

But the banana boat was hit by a pump boat, which was loaded with 20 Koreans who were island-hopping.

Alsin Tongco, who manned the pumpboat, told the police that he was heading to Olango Island when the jet ski suddenly crossed their path, said PO2 Luisito Ernie of the Lapu-Lapu police.

Ernie said Paquibot didn’t see the pumpboat coming because he was looking in another direction. Tongoc didn’t have enough time to steer the pumpboat and avoid the banana boat.

Paquibot and Tongco were detained at the police station pending the results of the investigation to determine who was at fault.