15 rescued after boat capsized off Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Fifteen persons were rescued past midnight on Monday, about four hours after the motorized boat they were riding in capsized in the waters between Camotes Island and Danao City, Cebu.

Fourteen passengers and a skipper were clinging onto the capsized MB Sinemona when spotted by the crew of MV Wonderful Stars of Roble Shipping Lines, which was heading to Ormoc City in Leyte, said Cebu Coast Guard station commander Rodolfo Villajuan.

He said the vessel brought the rescued passengers to Ormoc. They would be transported back to Cebu later, he added.

Villajuan said the motor banca left Barangay (village) Unidos in San Francisco town on Camotes Island in northern Cebu on Sunday night and was heading to a Danao City in mainland Cebu.

But the motor boat was battered with strong waves about 8 p.m. that it capsized before it could reach Danao. SFM