MICRONESIAN Legal Services Corp. has petitioned the CNMI Superior Court to issue a presumptive death certificate for Honorio Ricky Encabo II who was reported missing and lost at sea last summer.
MLSC attorney Zane Mowery, who represents Encabo’s girlfriend, Marithel A. Johnson, filed a petition for presumption of death of a missing individual. Johnson is also the mother of Encabo’s only child.
Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho set an evidentiary hearing for May 5, 2021 at 10 a.m.
On July 5, 2020, the petition stated, Encabo, his girlfriend and their friend went on a nature and hiking trip in the Infinity Pool area.
At around 4:30 p.m., the three began to venture out further toward the open ocean to take photos. Encabo walked out toward the end of the Infinity Pool nearest to the open ocean while the others trailed behind, the petition stated.
As Encabo sat on some rocks at the extreme end of the Infinity Pool just above the ocean, a massive wave swept into the area, crashing into Encabo, the petition stated, adding that his two companions saw that Encabo was swept into the open ocean.
“Encabo was eventually able to make his way to some sharp rocks jutting out of the ocean that abutted the rock formations surrounding the Infinity Pool,” the petition stated.
“His only clear route back to land was through the end of the Infinity Pool he had just been swept from.
“As Encabo reached the rocks, the two companions noticed that he was bleeding. Encabo had a long slice-like wound on his jaw, visible head wounds, and was bleeding profusely from multiple cuts and injuries on his upper body.
“The two companions thought that due to blood loss Encabo was potentially on the verge of losing consciousness.
“One of Encabo’s companions [sought] help from another group of individuals. They rushed over to try to come to the aid of Encabo. One of them also called the police for help.
“After the others came over to help, Encabo’s girlfriend jumped into the water to try to help him reach the edge of the Infinity Pool.
“She was unable to reach Encabo, who was floundering and slowly getting pushed by the waves towards an underwater cave in the rocks near the Infinity Pool, the opening of which reached slightly above the ocean’s surface.
“Encabo disappeared under the water after forcefully hitting his head on the rocks at the edge of the underwater cave, getting pulled by the current down into the cave. The others almost immediately lost sight of him.
“Encabo was never seen again after disappearing into the underwater cave,” the petition stated.
Born on Saipan on March 28, 1999, Encabo resided in Susupe. His mother is from Pohnpei while his father is from the Philippines.
Encabo was a Northern Marianas College student and was a restaurant server at Saipan World Resort. He posthumously received a bachelor’s degree from NMC.
Department of Public Safety rescue vessels conduct a search in the area where Honorio Ricky Encabo II was last seen in this July 2020 photo.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
