13 rescued as cargo vessel tilts off Zamboanga del Norte

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen crewmembers of a cargo vessel that tilted off the coast of Zamboanga del Norte amid rough seas were rescued on Monday.

The Philippine Coast Guard said PCG members from substation Salug rendered assistance to the crewmembers of MV Star Sabang. Rescue operations were conducted in coordination with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Initial reports showed that the vessel, which was carrying 170 tons of cement, departed from Cebu and was on its way to Zamboanga when the PCG station received a phone call from the captain of the vessel requesting assistance.

The vessel was towed near Bayangan Island by its sister ship MT Star Danao.

In Romblon, a boat captain, two of his crewmembers and three passengers were rescued in the waters off the coast of Barangay Poblacion in San Agustin town, also on Monday.

The motorboat, NPC Spug-3, which is owned by the National Power Corp., was on its way to Simara Island when its rudder was detached, causing a loss of propulsion, the PCG substation in San Agustin reported. — Roel Pareño