Boat sinks off Batangas; 13 rescued

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen fishermen were rescued after their boat capsized in the waters off Calatagan, Batangas on Sunday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Batangas Station said it was informed by the Agutaya police that fishing vessel Anita DJ II figured in the accident near Cape Santiago in Barangay Bagong Silang.

The vessel was reportedly headed to Palawan from the Navotas Port.

The PCG dispatched its multi-role response vessel BRP Bagacay to rescue the crewmembers of the distressed vessel.

A report from the Bagacay said the Anita DJ II was half-submerged at around 1:35 p.m. and had sunk by 3:17p.m.

The Bagacay asked a nearby fishing boat, Rainbow Warrior, to help rescue and bring the crewmembers to the shore.

The fishermen were later brought to the PCG-Calatagan sub-station, where they underwent medical assessment.

The PCG instructed the IRMA Fishing Co., owner of Anita DJ II, to coordinate with a tugboat company.

It asked the help of the Harbor Star Towage Co., which dispatched its tugboat Great Lark to tow the fishing vessel to the shore.

The PCG-Batangas station alerted the Marine Environmental Protection Group and its Mabini sub-station to prepare for a possible oil spill that may arise from the sea accident.

Investigation is ongoing.