By Dandan A. Bantugan and Restituto A. Cayubit
Tagbilaran City — The Philippine Coast Guard here rescued 15 Chinese nationals after their boat lost power off Buenavista town Tuesday afternoon at the height of Storm “Basyang.”
Ensign Nygel Khan Pia, deputy commander of Coast Guard station in Tagbilaran, said they received a call from Ethel Mante of the Chinese Consulate based in Cebu City that the boat carrying the Chinese nationals was missing.
The foreigners reportedly chartered a pumpboat and left Getafe town for Cebu at past 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The boat set off despite the suspension of sea travel due to the storm.
A Coast Guard team found the boat, which had taken shelter in Cabul-an Island off Buenavista.
The boat’s engine developed problems, prompting the crew to head for the island.
Basyang flooded several areas as it made its way across the Visayas.
In Borongan City, three fishermen died when their boat capsized in rough seas.
The fishermen were identified as Rejie Samson, Wilfred Alde and Wilson Alde.
They set out to sea last Monday as Basyang approached.
Their companion, Jomar Ladiao, managed to swim to shore and reported to incident to authorities.
A rescue team found the bodies of the three fishermen on the shore of Barangay Cabong, Borongan.
In Leyte, 11 municipalities, including Tacloban City, experienced flooding. the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported.
Arvin M. Monge, PDRRMO head, said 89 families evacuated to safer ground.
Classes across the province were suspended for two days.
In Palo town, four houses were damaged in Barangay Barayong, but no one was reported hurt.