A PASSENGER vessel ran aground in Talibon, Bohol last Tuesday afternoon but its 86 passengers and 55 crew members were all safe, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.
The MV Starlite Saturn, a roll-on, roll-off vessel coming from Surigao City, was enroute to Cebu City when it figured in a mishap at Danajon Bank.
PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Armand Balilo said the passengers and crew were rescued by PCG and Philippine Navy vessels.
“They are okay, there’s no problem. The arrival of the troops is very timely, they were all evacuated (safely),” said Balilo.
Asked what caused the mishap, Balilo curtly replied: “Rough weather.”
In a statement, Balilo said two PCG sea marshals, including SN1 Cliftun Bert Etulle, were aboard the vessel.
He said Etulle reported that “all passengers and crew members remain in good physical condition.”
Balilo also said that six passengers were also rescued after their boat figured in a mishap off Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan last Tuesday.
The boat, skippered by Gabby Mundih, was enroute to Zamboanga City, from Sulu.
“While underway, they encountered big waves which damaged the hull, causing their motor banca to submerge,” said Balilo.
After receiving information about the distressed vessels and passengers, the PCG dispatched a team which eventually rescued the passengers, who were later brought to Maluso, Basilan.
