FOUR persons were missing and 11 others were rescued when the pumpboats they were riding capsized and sank after being hit by powerful waves off Simunul town in Tawi-Tawi on Monday afternoon.
Chief Supt. Samuel Rodriguez, director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Police Office, identified the missing passengers as Jig Abdul, Ajil Abdul, Julhamin Abdul and Raiza Abdul.
Rodriguez said personnel from the PNP and Philippine Coast Guard are conducting joint search and rescue operations for the four.
Rescued were Dalson Kadil, Habil Kadil, Noralyn Kadil, Inang Danial, Delma Abdulgafor, Almasil Abdulgafor, Roman Kadil, Alsimal Abdulgafor, Iradzmal Abdulgafor, Nursilyn Kadil, and Airin Danial.
Rodriquez said two pump boats identified as Ronymal and Baby Nur, coming from Sitangkai town en route to Bongao town, encountered rough seas and capsized.
Rodriguez said search and rescue teams later rescued 11 passengers, all of them passengers of pumpboat Ronymal.
“However, pumboat Baby Nur could not be located with four missing passengers,” he added.
The rescued passengers were brought to the Bakong Wharf in Barangay Bakong, Simunul for treatment.
