SURIGAO CITY — Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel rescued 19 passengers and three crew members of a passenger motorized banca after it capsized within the city’s waters Tuesday.
“M/bca Aldrin” was about 200 meters from its port of origin in Barangay Bilang-Bilang when it capsized after encountering huge waves, a PCG report said. It was bound for Barangay Talavera, an island village in Taganaan town, Surigao del Norte.
PCG said the big waves that battered the motorbanca came from a huge cruiser named M/V Yohan, which passed near M/bca Aldrin as it approached the Surigao port.
Upon receiving a distress call from the Philippine Ports Authority, PCG said it immediately sent a quick response team and rescued the passengers and crew and safely returned them to the Bilang-Bilang port.
None was hurt in the incident, PCG said, and all passengers returned to their homes safely. Danilo Adorador, III/PNA-northboundasia.com