BACOLOD CITY – Nine persons were rescued after they were sighted by fishermen floating in the waters off Barangays Tomongtong and Gahit in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental on Saturday, Feb. 4.
Chief Petty Officer James Comeros, sub-station commander of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Victorias, said the victims departed from Ajuy, Iloilo around 2 p.m. on Feb. 3.
Comeros said that the boat which was supposed to bring seven passengers in Manapla town capsized due to rough seas.
The victims were floating at the sea for about 20 hours, but they were all conscious and had no injuries, Comeros said.
Comeros said the seven residents of Manapla town already went home after they were checked by the rescuers, while the two others from Ajuy were also sent back to their hometown via a roll-on roll-off (Roro) vessel.
Comeros said the victims were told by their employer to use their boat that day, but the PCG said they should have notified the authorities about their travel to prevent untoward incidents.