5 rescued after motor banca sinks off Masbate

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued five passengers of a motor banca that sank off Baleno, Masbate.

The PCG said on Monday that its search-and-rescue team from Coast Guard Station (CGS) Masbate was immediately dispatched to the area on Saturday to rescue the passengers and the boat captain.

Investigation showed that the boat, identified as “Berlyn,” sank after it was hit by a big fish while enroute to Bolo, Masbate.

“Upon receipt of the report from a concerned citizen, personnel of CGS Masbate immediately conducted search and rescue operations to the said motor banca,” the PCG said.

The search-and-rescue team transferred the five passengers to Coast Guard’s Aluminum Boat-188 while the motor banca was towed to the nearest shoreline in Baleno.

The PCG said the passengers were all safe and accounted for. /ee