27 rescued as boat sinks off Lapu-Lapu

CEBU CITY, Philippines—At least 27 persons, including six crewmen, were rescued on Saturday more than eight hours after the motorboat they were riding in capsized in waters off the village of Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu province.

MB Mansan left the village of Calituban in Talibon town, Bohol province around 9 p.m. on Friday to ferry people and bring fish, shellfish, seaweed and other marine products to Cebu City.

Boat captain Norberto Aparice, 41, a resident of Calituban, said the waves were still manageable when they left Talibon.

The boat, however, lost its balance when a nylon rope that was holding its bamboo outriggers together was cut.

Aparice said the crew tried to keep the boat balanced by throwing cargo into the sea. Life jackets were distributed to passengers.

Strong waves, however, caused the boat to tilt and capsize.

Aparice said they held on to different parts of the boat until a barge and a passenger vessel passed by.

Rudyard Payusan, chief mate of LCT Crescent, tried to rescue the passengers but his leg got entangled and was cut.

Alfredo Antojado, a passenger of the vessel involved in the rescue, MV Filipinas Dinagat, confirmed what happened to Payusan.

Antojado said the rescue operation was difficult because of the strong waves.

MV Filipinas Dinagat had to turn around four times to get close to the area where the boat sank.

The vessel brought the passengers to Pier 1 of the Cebu City port.

Aparice said MB Mansan is owned by a certain Nolito Abapo. The boat is usually rented by businessmen in Talibon to deliver fish and marine products to Cebu City.