Malaysian national dead as boat sinks off Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -  A Malaysian national died while 63 passengers and crewmen were rescued when the wooden-hulled motorlaunch they were on board in sunk when it hit an underwater rock formFtion off Basilan province, according to  an official of the Naval forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) Wednesday.

Rear Admiral Isabela Gador, NFWM chief said the ill-fated M/L Muna-Isa 1 was steaming from Mapun Island off Tawi-Tawi last Saturday bound for Basilan when it sunk near the vicinity of Pilas island Hadji Muhtamad town.

Gador said the vessel captain claimed that their ship was reportedly battered by the rough seas and accidentally hit Tamila rock, an underwater rock formation near Pilas.

The vessel sustained severe leak and sea water filled the boat,  causing the passengers to panic as the boat started to sink.

Gador said a passing water craft M/L Rafida noticed the craft in distress and immediately assisted and rescued the passengers and brought them to Pilas Island.

However, the lone casualty, a Malaysian national married to a Filipino, reportedly died in Pilas and was given proper burial in Islam rites at Pilas island. The victim's name was not immediately known, the naval official added.

Gador said the NFWM Littoral Observatory Station (LOS) immediately alerted the naval operation center that dispatched its patrol gunboat and secured all the rescued victims and provided them foods and medical assistance before escorting them to Basilan. -  Roel Pareño