A CARGO vessel caught fire off Nasugbu town in Batangas early on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
Responding PCG personnel rescued the 13 crew members, including the vessel’s captain who sustained minor injuries.
The PCG said the captain and six of the crew members of the ill-fated MV Castphill XV were rescued at 4:27 a.m. by PCG personnel from BRP Boracay. The five others were rescued at 7:35 a.m.
The crew members arrived at Pier 15 at the South Harbor in Manila at 7:59 a.m. on board BRP Boracay.
The PCG said 12 were turned over to the Coast Guard Medical Service “for further medical evaluation.”
“The PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, reaffirms PCG’s commitment to ensuring maritime safety and responding promptly to emergencies at sea,” the PCG said in a statement.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
