THE Philippine Navy rescued 26 of the 32 passengers around 16 hours after the wooden-hulled vessel they were on sank off Turtle Islands town, Tawi-Tawi, a Navy official said Monday, March 17, 2025.
Rear Admiral Francisco Tagamolila Jr., Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, said the 32 passengers were rescued around 10:05 p.m. Sunday, March 16, some 17 nautical miles southeast of the Turtle Islands.
Tagamolila said a Malaysian vessel rescued the other six passengers of the ill-fated wooden-hulled vessel, M/L Bangsata.
“Coordination is ongoing to facilitate their safe return,” Tagamolila said in a statement.
Tagamolila said based on accounts of the survivors, M/L Bangsata departed from Turtle Islands around 1:45 a.m. Sunday, March 16, bound for South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, carrying 32 people.
The vessel encountered rough seas and sank around 6 a.m. Sunday, March 16, leaving passengers stranded and clinging to debris until their rescue.
A Singaporean-flagged tanker Eonia first spotted the distress vessel and promptly reported the incident to authorities.
“This enabled the Philippine Navy’s Naval Monitoring Station (NMS) Taganak and BRP-Jose Loor Sr. (PC-390) to initiate an immediate rescue mission,” Tagamolila said.
“NMS Taganak maintained continuous communication with EONIA, ensuring swift coordination and accurate location of the incident,” he added.
While on board PC-390, the survivors received medical assistance, food and warm clothing from the crew.
Tagamolila said they safely transported and arrived around 11:40 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Taganak Pier, where the survivors were turned over to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for further medical attention and care.
He said the Navy remains steadfast in ensuring maritime safety and urged coastal communities and seafarers to exercise caution during adverse sea conditions. (SunStar Zamboanga)