NINE persons were rescued after their fishing vessel capsized in the waters of Barangay II, Manapla, Negros Occidental, on May 1.

Police identified the victims as passengers Trinidad Mañapao, 49; Jenny Mañapao, 20; Noriel Mañapao, 21, all residents of San Antonio, Capiz; Pascual Barrios, 86, of Carles Iloilo; Teresita Antapan, 71, of E.B. Magalona town; Marissa Gonzales, 35, of Silay City; Cedric Seballos of Manapla town; boat captain Jo-An Bating, 35, and his crew Jan Rey Mapa, 23, both of Culasi, Iloilo.

Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, head of Philippine Coast Guard-Bacolod, said the victims on board an M/V Fantasy were on their way to Manapla town from Ajuy, Iloilo, when big waves hit their vessel around 10 a.m.

"They were floating five kilometers away from the shoreline of the town," Vingno added.

One of them was able to call for assistance from rescuers in Iloilo but they were safely rescued by nearby fishermen in the area.

The vessel was towed to the shoreline.

Vingno said the vessel was "undocumented" because it was not supposed to cross the Manapla waters due to protocol.

Vingno said the passengers and crew members already returned to Iloilo.