6 rescued as boat sinks off Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Six persons were rescued from a motorboat that capsized in the waters off Tawi-Tawi on Thursday, the Philippine Navy reported yesterday.

The wooden-hulled boat was sailing toward Taganak Island when it reportedly encountered bad weather.

The boat departed the port of Tabawan in South Ubian town on Tuesday morning and was battered by strong winds and waves at dusk, according to Lt. Senior Grade Chester Cabaltera, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao information office.

“Rough seas submerged the pumpboat. The passengers clung to the side of the boat for almost 24 hours before it capsized near Baguan Island,” Cabaltera said.

The Marines were alerted about the missing boat and launched a search and rescue operation.

The rescue team found the passengers washed ashore on Baguan Island.

Among those rescued were boat captain Abdulmuin Paring and his crewmembers Radzmil Jurupin and Mawi Paring.

The identities of the three passengers were not immediately available.

Paring said they survived by clinging to the boat before it finally sank several hours after it was battered by bad weather.

Personnel of the Marine Battalion Landing 12 said the victims were provided food and clothing before they were turned over to the custody of the Municipal Social Services Office.