Coast guard rescues passenger boat

SIXTY passengers and crew of a wooden-hulled ferry were safely rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in between Basilan and Sulu provinces.

PCG South-Western Mindanao District spokesman Lieutenant Commander Jomark Angue said they immediately dispatched a rescue vessel after they received a call for assistance.

Angue said the wooden-hulled ferry named M/L Ia-nah was spotted by the PCG rescue boat around 12 noon Friday drifting at sea between the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.

Angue said the engine of M/L Ia-nah conked out while it was sailing to the Municipality of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, from Zamboanga City.

The vessel departed around 5 p.m. Thursday from a private wharf in the city, Angue said.

The vessel was towed by the PCG rescue boat to the province of Basilan while the passengers were transported back to Zamboanga city, he said.