By I. Inojales, Helen Castaño | 01:41 PM August 18, 2026
INABANGA, Bohol — An American visitor was rescued after his sailing catamaran capsized in the coastal waters of Barangay Santo Niño, Inabanga, Bohol, on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Inabanga Mayor Dexter Ancla said he received a call at around 5:30 p.m. from a friend in Cebu asking for assistance for the sailor, identified as Adrian Belic.
Belic was reportedly sailing from the Ilocos Region when his catamaran overturned off the coast of Inabanga.
Ancla immediately sought help from Santo Niño Barangay Captain Winie, but strong winds and waves prevented an immediate rescue. The sailor was subsequently carried farther east toward the waters off Buenavista.
The mayor then contacted the Philippine Coast Guard Station in Buenavista, which coordinated with the Coast Guard station in Getafe.
Responders eventually located and rescued Belic in waters off the Getafe coast.
Ancla thanked the Coast Guard personnel, local officials, fishermen, barangay tanods and volunteers from Inabanga, Buenavista and Getafe who helped in the rescue effort.
“Helping a stranger, coz why not. Pay it forward mentality,” Ancla said.
Belic was later reported safe and under the care of the Philippine Coast Guard Getafe Station.
