7 dead, 5 missing in ferry sinking off Tawi-Tawi
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – At least seven persons died, including an infant and two minors, while five others were reported missing when a ferry sunk off Tawi-Tawi, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.
Among the fatalities were identified as Tita Liyo, one; Ping Liyo, four ; Albiya Liyo, 40; Jam Basira Pidjiki, 54; and Aka Tutu, four.
Two of the missing were identified as Alnaliza Hamsiri Sahidjuan, 11; and Midzmar Kimsay, 31.
PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said 15 of the 27 passengers on board FB Siraina were rescued as of 4 a.m. yesterday.
Balilo said the ferry sunk within the vicinity of Tampat Point in Pasiagan, Bongao town.
He said the boat was on its way to Bongao from Sipangkot Island in the Sibutu group of islands when it encountered big waves and sank, he said.
Col. Omar Tonsay, Navy spokesman, said two naval gunboats conducted search and rescue operations yesterday.
Meanwhile, the PCG coordinated with the police in Bongao for the filing of criminal charges against Bakki Munib, ferry skipper and owner of FB Siraina.
Lt. Cmdr. Elizer Dalnay, PCG district spokesman, said Munib faces charges for operating an unregistered boat and ferrying passengers. – With Helen Flores, Jaime Laude
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