1 passenger missing, 24 others rescued as boat capsizes off CamSur

NAGA CITY, Philippines—One person was reported missing while 24 others were rescued after a motorized banca ferrying students from Atulayan Island to Nato Port in Sañgay, Camarines Sur capsized early  Monday.

Petty Officer Lope Abonal, of the Philippine Navy assigned in Sañgay town, identified over the phone the missing person as Dina Gacer, 44, whom he said did not know how to swim.

Abonal said big waves battered the motorized banca at about 7 a.m. while it was cruising towards Nato Port from Atulayan Island, about 5 kilometers from Sañgay town.

He said the Philippine Navy was able to respond within 15 minutes and saved 24 high school students who were clinging to the outrigger of the motorized banca, some 500 meters from the shoreline.

Abonal said Navy personnel were still conducting search and rescue operation for Gacer.