119 rescued from sinking boats in Northern Samar, Quezon

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 119 passengers and crewmembers of two half-submerged motorized boats were rescued in Northern Samar and Quezon in the past two days.

Sixty-three passengers of MB Jovelle Express 3 were rescued when the boat started sinking after the hull was hit by a floating object in the waters off Polillo Islands in Quezon yesterday.

The boat was on its way to Real when the accident occurred.

In Northern Samar, MB Spirit, which departed from Victoria Wharf at 6:11 a.m. on Wednesday, was headed to San Vicente when it encountered big waves off the coast of Barangay Pilar in San Antonio, a report received by the Philippine Coast Guard showed.

Members of a PCG rescue team on board motorboat JC Brothers as well as members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and local fishermen were dispatched to conduct search and rescue operations.

The rescued passengers were transferred to MB Leanbe and brought to San Vicente.

Three fishing boats towed the damaged MB Spirit to San Antonio town.

Investigations into the sea mishaps are ongoing.