Cebu-bound ferry runs aground

MANILA, Philippines - A Cebu-bound ferry ran aground before dawn yesterday, and all its 352 passengers were safely rescued, the Philippine Navy said.

Quoting reports, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said M/V Filipinas Ozamis, owned by Cokaliong Shipping Lines, was sailing through the Lipata South Channel on its way to the Cebu City port from Ozamis City when it ran aground in the vicinity of Lauis Ledge.

Informed of the incident, ship owner Chester Cokaliong immediately sought the assistance of the Coast Guard and Navy in Cebu.

Rescue teams, together with divers and marine protection personnel, were dispatched to the site on board tugboats and rubber boats.