6 boat passengers rescued off Basilan waters

A family of six was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard near Little Coco Island, Akbar town, Basilan on Thursday, after the motorboat where they were on board encountered engine trouble. The PCG personnel found the boat drifting at sea. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY THE PHILIPPINE COAST ZAMBOANGA CITY STATION

ZAMBOANGA CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—Six persons, including three children, were rescued around 9 a.m Thursday in the waters off Little Coco Island, Akbar town, Basilan.

Lt. Junior Grade John Wenceslao, station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard in this city, said their personnel on routine maritime patrol had spotted a motorized banca, apparently in distress, floating at sea.

“Our personnel onboard the BRP Malamawi were able to extract the passengers and brought them to Zamboanga City for medical attention,” Wenceslao said.

The six passengers were on their way to Sacol Island in this city from Basilan when the boat encountered engine trouble, he said.  “They have been floating there for almost five hours,” he added.

The BRP Malamawi (FPB-2403) towed the distressed motorbanca to the Zamboanga City Pier for repairs. The rescued individuals were turned over to the PCG District Southwestern Mindanao Medical Center for further assistance.

Wenceslao said the passengers, among them Johny Craft Hannoh, his wife Nurhaya Hannoh Buklasan, and their four children Abdul Hannan, Nurham, Irham, and Asfar, were all in safe hands.

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