Navy rescues 75 stranded in Sulu Sea

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Navy men rescued at least 75 people, including children and women, last Thursday after their motor launch malfunctioned in the rough waters of the Sulu Sea, authorities said.

Navy men on board the BRP Magat Salamat spotted the vessel as they were returning to their headquarters after completing joint maritime exercises with the Malaysian Navy.

Commodore Rufino Lopez Jr., chief of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said those rescued were on board M/L Ylaiza Maye 8 which got stranded 7.7 nautical miles south of Minis Point in the Pilas group of islands.

The vessel, which was carrying nine crewmen and 66 passengers, including 28 women with infants and children, had come from Lugos in Jolo, Sulu and was en route to Zam—boanga City when one of its propeller blades broke, Lopez said.

Lopez said the vessel got tossed by 10-foot high waves for over a day before the BRP Magat Salamat under Lt. Cmdr. Em—manuel Manuel spotted and towed it to the Majini pier in Lower Calarian this city.

Lopez said many of those rescued were sent home after they were given medical attention.