10 missing as cargo ship sinks off Cavite

MANILA, Philippines - The captain and nine other crewmembers of a cargo ship were reported missing when their vessel caught fire before it sank in the waters off Cavite yesterday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Quartermaster Angelo Gamble, 39, a resident of Isla Verde in Batangas, was rescued by two fishermen near Bogiw island in Nasugbu, Batangas, Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said.

Initial reports show that the engine room of Virginia 1 caught fire near Caballo Island at around 1:20 a.m. The vessel, which was on its way to Roxas, Palawan, sank after 25 minutes.

The PCG stations in Corregidor and Mariveles, Bataan deployed their aluminum boats  to help in the search and rescue operations.

Balilo said they also sent their fishing boats Gorpa and Corregidor Island as well as monitoring, control and surveillance vessel 3010.