Boat sinks; 11 missing

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Eleven crew members of a cargo motorlaunch have been missing for three days now and are feared dead when the boat was battered by big waves and sank in shark-infested waters off Pangutaran Island in Sulu, official said.

Basilan provincial spokesman Alton Angeles disclosed that the victims left Sunday night aboard Guinea III in Maluso wharf bound for Sulu when strong winds brought about by a weather depression lashed the southermost parts of Mindanao.

He said the 11 crewmen aboard the ill-fated watercraft tried to make a distress call but the contact was abruptly cut- off as the boat reportedly sank shortly before 12 midnight.

Angeles identified those missing only as Masdal Sabtal, Tsikito, Tino, Bagin, Lorenzo, Rey, Musad, Mubin, Eric boy and one unidentified companion.

Angeles said authorities in Sulu have been alerted for possible recovery of the missing victims.

The Naval Forces South (NAVFORSOUTH) has also dispatched a search and rescue team. As of press time, the team has not relayed any feedback yet — Roel Pareño