MALAYSIAN authorities rescued 15 Filipino passengers and crew members of a motor launch that drifted to Sabah last week after encountering engine trouble, the Philippine Navy reported yesterday.
The Filipinos, including seven personnel of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), were turned over by the Malaysians to the Philippine Navy on Monday.
The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) said the TESDA personnel and eight crew members of ML Dayang Jubaira Express were en route to Turtle Islands town in Tawi-Tawi, from Bongao town also in the province, last January 6 when their watercraft experienced engine trouble.
“Without a working engine, the motor launch was dragged by big waves away until it grounded along the vicinity of Bukit, Lawa-Lawa, Sabah,” said NFWM public affairs officer Lt. Chester Ross Cabaltera.
