Nine men in sinking boat rescued

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Nine people, working for a mining company in Homonhon Island in Guiuan town of Eastern Samar, have been rescued when large waves almost capsized the motorboat they were riding near Dinagat Island, a police official said.

Chief Inspector Randy Jongco, Guiuan Police chief, said the passengers were aboard M/B Marelou that left Homonhon Island last Friday afternoon.

The passengers were identified as Alejandro Dimapiles, 38; Zandro Melo, 46; Argel Homeres, 27; Arnold Villena, 27; Joe Villena; 29; Zaldy Amlon, 27; Boboy Alejandro, 49; and Wilson Tan, 53 and were bound for Dinagat Island.

Jongco said, hours after sailing off, the owner Apolinario Sanchez sent a message to a resident in Homonhon asking for help because they were being whipped by strong waves and their boat was about to sink.

The nine passengers were eventually rescued by a civilian boat several hours after they were spotted about five nautical miles north of Loreto town, in Dinagat Island.

“All passengers were in stable condition after they were transferred to a larger motor boat. They have returned to their respective homes safely,” Jongco told The Freeman.

As this developed, the Philippine Coast Guard station in Tacloban City has advised small sea crafts on the eastern part of the region not to sail because of rough coastal waters at this time.

PAGASA is currently monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao that may develop into a typhoon. The LPA will bring rains and coastal waters in the eastern portion of the country will be moderate to rough, it added. —(FREEMAN)