Vessel runs aground off Lanao Norte; 85 rescued

Zamboanga City , Philippines — Eighty-five passengers, including five infants, were rescued when a roll-on, roll-off vessel ran aground off Maigo, Lanao del Norte on Thursday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Maigo immediately deployed its personnel to conduct search and rescue operations as well as oil spill assessment.

The M/V Filipinas Cebu was on its way to Ozamiz City when it reportedly hit a shallow portion of the Maigo Point at about 6 p.m.

No one was reported injured. The passengers were transferred to the tugboat Foscon Diamond.

The PCG said no oil spill was monitored from the vessel, but a spill boom was deployed as a precautionary measure. — Robertzon Ramirez