85 commercial ferry boat passengers, including five babies, were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard off Maigo, Lanao del Norte, on Friday.

PCG-Maigo Station reported in a statement that people aboard the MV Filipinas Cebu were rescued after the vessel went aground at Maigo Point at about 6 p.m.

It sailed from Lanao del Norte to Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental on Thursday.

The rescued passengers were successfully transferred to the PCG-Maigo Station onboard the tug Focson Diamond.

Responding PCG officers were accompanied by a team from the PCG's Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) to undertake an immediate oil spill assessment.

Meanwhile, the PCG in Basilan is supporting the salvage operations to remove the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 from the shores of Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad town.

The salvage operation is being led by Aleson Shipping Lines, the vessel's owner. The ship caught fire around 11:30 p.m. on March 29, near Baluk-Baluk Island, while sailing from Zamboanga City to Sulu.