2 boats collide in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A motorized temper-type boat carrying goods and eight passengers sunk on Thursday dawn after it collided with another temper-type boat loaded with illegally cut timber in the waters off west Zamboanga City, the Philippine Coast Guard said. 

Lt. Junior Grade Jomark Angue, Zamboanga City Coast Guard station commander, said all passengers of the ill-fated water craft were unharmed after they managed to swim to the shore at Barangay Labuan, some 30 to 40 kilometers west from the city proper. 

Investigation disclosed that the motor temper AJ Express with eight passengers and loaded with various goods was bound for Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte when it collided with another temper boat loaded with 5,000 board feet of illegally cut timber about 3 a.m. in the vicinity of Barangay Labuan. The AJ Express eventually sunk.

Angue said their investigation showed that the boat loaded with timber was navigating without any navigational lights. 

Angue said the boat master of the temper boat loaded with timber was held in custody by the local police while the vessel and the illegally cut logs were placed under the custody of the maritime police.