EIGHT crewmembers of a tugboat that sank off Occidental Mindoro last Saturday afternoon were rescued, the Philippine Cost Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.
Five of the crew members, including the captain, of the ill-fated tugboat (Betheva 2), were rescued shortly after the incident, according to PCG communications officer Joy Gumatay.
Gumatay said the five — boat captain Alfie Dangue, Jerwin Adion, Ariel Sadje, Ronel Padon and Gerald Manzano — were rescued by personnel of motorbanca RG Brothers that was passing the area.
Three others — Joshua Brizal, Jerome Feildad and one Jay — were initially declared missing, prompting the PCG to deploy assets to search and rescue the three.
The three were rescued by residents of Barangay Talaotao at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday, said Gumatay.
“The eight (crew members) on board the tugboat are in good condition,” said Gumatay.
Gumatay sad the tugboat capsized at around 2:30 p.m. near Golo Island in Looc town in Occidental Mindoro after encountering big waves.
She said the tugboat’s engine room took in water, adding: “Moments later, the tugboat submerged.”
Gumatay said the tugboat was enroute to Palawan at the time of the mishap. She said the vessel came from South Harbor, Manila.
