CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) At least 12 people, including three children and a Japanese national, died when a motorized oputrigger ferry boat bound for Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, capsized in the Verde Island passage off Batangas around noon Saturday, police said.

Chief Supt. Luisito Palmera, director of the Mimaropa regional police office, said the ferry, owned by the Commando 6 Shipping Lines, left the Batangas City pier earlier Saturday for Puerto Galera.

He said the one of the boat's outriggers broke upon reaching Verde Island passage.

Lt. Cmdr. Troy Cornelio, Coast Guard Batangas Station commander, said the weather was fine and it could not have been the cause of the accident.

He said an investigation was underway to determine what really happened.

As of 6 p.m., 12 were confirmed dead while 29 passengers were rescued and undergoing medical treatment at the Puerto Galera Municipal Health Center. Police said earlier that 40 passengers had been rescued but they corrected the figure shortly afterwards.

Palmera said the authorities were also still trying to ascertain the exact number of people aboard the vessel, which was reported earlier to be carrying about 60 passengers and crew.

He said a distress call was sent to other passenger boats stationed in Barangay Sabang, while police and local executives were advised by the Coast Guard and maritime authorities to help in the rescue operations.

Chief Insp. Jose Manuel Payos of the Oriental Mindoro police operations office said two young males, one young female, seven adult females and two adult males were among the recovered dead.

"There's an ongoing rescue operation and treatment of passengers," said Senior Supt. Alberto Supapo, director of the Oriental Mindoro police.

PO2 Christian Rex de Guzman of the Puerto Galera police said they were still completing the list of casualties and survivors.

He said their chief investigator, PO3 Reynald Tolentino, was still in the field for more data gathering.

A Japanese national was the only foreigner among the fatalities, said PO1 Adrian Lolong, Puerto Galera police desk officer. he was identified his his two companions, both also Japanese, who were among the survivors.

Supt. Manuel Abu, Batangas City police chief, identified the fatalities as Franco Eugenio, 3; Anton Cruz, 2; Gregoria Pabliko, 58; Albino Pabliko, 55; Beta Berdin, 2; Melanie Berdin, 30; Desiree Teodoro, 20; Joena Perez, 25; a certain Yaya Tess; Mina Ricci; Daisy Eugenio; and Hosotani Shoji.