8 rescued as boat sinks off Mindoro

MANILA, Philippines — Eight crewmembers of a tugboat that capsized in the waters off Occidental Mindoro on Saturday have been rescued, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The T/B Betheva 2 was sailing near Golo Island at around 2:30 p.m. when it was battered by strong winds and waves.

Betheva 2 captain Alfie Dangue said seawater entered the boat and caused flooding in the engine room.

The boat was headed to Rio Tuba in Palawan from Manila when it figured in the accident.

Dangue and his crewmembers – Jerwin Adion, Gerald Manzano, Ronel Padon and Ariel Sadje – were rescued by a motorboat and were brought to the shores of Barangay Talaotao in Looc town.

Three other crewmembers – Joshua Brizal, Jerome Feildad and a certain “Jay” – boarded a life raft but were unable to immediately reunite with their companions.

The three crewmembers were found and rescued by village residents.

The PCG said the crewmembers were all accounted for as of 10:30 a.m. yesterday and in stable condition.