The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued 85 people, including five infants, after a passenger vessel, MV Filipinas Cebu, ran aground off Maigo Point, Lanao del Norte on Thursday evening.
The PCG's search and rescue team responded to the area and ensured the safety of the passengers and crew onboard the Tugboat Foscon Diamond used in the operation, as stated in a PCG statement.
The passenger vessel, owned by Cokaliong Shipping Lines, departed from Iloilo bound for Cebu at around 07:14 p.m.
According to the vessel's skipper, 57-year-old Captain Alexander Wahing, all 223 passengers and 38 crew members, including himself, remained safe and free from injuries.
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) also deployed a fast boat with two Coast Guard Special Operations Unit (SOU) personnel onboard to assist in the rescue operation, along with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Concepcion.
In addition, the PCG's Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) conducted an assessment for possible traces of oil spill but yielded negative results, indicating that there were no environmental damages caused by the incident.
The prompt response and coordinated efforts of the PCG, BOC, and MDRRMO have prevented a potentially disastrous situation, ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew involved.
Further investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident and appropriate measures will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
