(Photo courtesy of Naval Forces Western Mindanao)
ZAMBOANGA CITY 鈥� The Philippine Navy rescued 26 passengers after a wooden-hulled vessel sank off Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, on Sunday, an official said Monday.
Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila Jr., commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), said the 32 passengers of the M/L Bangsata were rescued around 10:05 p.m. Sunday, approximately 17 nautical miles southeast of Turtle Islands.
Six other passengers were rescued by a Malaysian vessel.
鈥淐oordination is ongoing to facilitate their safe return,鈥� Tagamolila said in a statement.
According to survivors, the M/L Bangsata departed Turtle Islands at 1:45 a.m. Sunday bound for South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi.
The boat encountered rough seas and sank around 6 a.m.
Passengers clung to debris until their rescue.
A Singaporean-flagged tanker, EONIA, first spotted the distressed vessel and alerted authorities, enabling the Philippine Navy鈥檚 Naval Monitoring Station (NMS) Taganak and BRP-Jose Loor Sr. (PC-390) to launch an immediate rescue mission.
鈥淣MS Taganak maintained continuous communication with EONIA, ensuring swift coordination and accurate location of the incident,鈥� Tagamolila said.
The survivors received medical assistance, food, and warm clothing aboard PC-390 before being transported to Taganak Pier.
They were turned over to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for further care.