167 passengers, 3 crewmen rescued after boat engine breaks down

CEBU CITY—The Coast Guard rescued at least 167 passengers, including six infants, and three crewmen of a motorboat that suffered engine trouble in the waters of Liloan town in Cebu Sunday morning.

The motorbanca Monico Zen was on its way to Getafe town in Bohol from Pasil fishport when the engine malfunctioned at 11:30 am, according to Cebu Coast Guard Station Commander Agapito Bibat.

The crew tried to fix the problem until the boat drifted towards Hilutungan channel.

Bibat said the rescue vessel DF 318 and another aluminum boat were sent for the rescue operation.

Coast Guard personnel rescued the passengers at the Hilitungan channel and they were given food. The boat was towed towards Pier Uno near Malacañang sa Sugbo.

The boat is reportedly not registered or is a “colorum” vessel, according to Bibat. JE/rga