85 people rescued after passenger boat engine failure off Tawi-Tawi

Motor Launch Dhiemal, which suffered engine failure in Sibutu passage, was later towed by Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Loor Sr. (PC390). (Photo from the Philippine Navy)

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 85 people were rescued by the Philippine Navy after a passenger vessel suffered technical issues off the waters of Sibutu town in Tawi-tawi province.

The Navy said the personnel of patrol craft BRP Jose Loor Sr. (PC390) assisted 78 passengers and seven crew of Motor Launch (ML) Dhiemal after it suffered engine failure in Sibutu Passage on Tuesday morning about nine nautical miles southwest of Bakalao Point.

ML Dhiemal was then towed at 1:40 p.m on Tuesday and arrived at Lamion Wharf in Bongao at 5:40 p.m. the same day.

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“[The] PC390 provided assistance by towing the Motor Launch Dhiemal toward Bongao, Tawi-Tawi,” the Navy said in a statement on Wednesday night.

The passenger vessel originated in Tandu Banak village in the municipality of Sibutu and was bound for Bongao town.