16 rescued as cargo vessel capsizes off Masbate
Masbate map
LIGAO CITY, Albay, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued 16 passengers from a cargo vessel that capsized at Ragay Gulf on Burias Island in Masbate province on Sunday, Aug. 14.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Donald Canoy, Coast Guard station commander, told the Inquirer in a text message that the ship came from the Port of Pasacao in Camarines Sur province.
It was heading for the coastal village of San Jose in Masbate’s San Pascual town when it was struck by strong winds and big waves around 2:30 a.m.
Canoy said, prior to the incident, the vessel deliberately departed the port without obtaining a clearance from the PCG.
“They were lucky because a fisherman passed by and rescued three children. After they reported the incident, we immediately conducted the search and rescue operation [for the other passengers],” Canoy said.
He said the survivors were assisted by personnel of the San Pascual Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as ordered by Mayor Zacarina Lazaro.
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