Roro vessel runs aground off Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — A roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) vessel with 239 passengers on board reportedly ran aground as it was trying to avoid a fish cage in Cebu on Sunday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the M/V Filipinas Butuan was headed to Iloilo City when it left Cebu City at 7 p.m.

It was navigating in the waters off Barangay Kaongkod in Madridejos town when it reportedly hit ground.

At around 4:30 a.m. yesterday, the captain of the Filipinas Butuan asked the help of the PCG-Bantayan substation.

The captain informed the PCG that they spotted an oil leak when they inspected the vessel.

The PCG along with personnel of the local disaster office and Bantay Dagat transferred the passengers and crewmembers to three boats.

At around 10:50 a.m., the PCG’s BRP Malamawi brought spill booms and absorbent pads to contain the oil leak from the distressed vessel.