Navy rescues 26 passengers from sunken vessel in Tawi-Tawi

The Philippine Navy rescued 26 passengers after a boat sank near Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi on Sunday night. The M/L Bangsata had 32 passengers on board when it encountered rough seas and sank around 6 a.m. Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila Jr., head of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, reported that six additional passengers were saved by a Malaysian vessel. Efforts are ongoing to ensure their safe return, according to Tagamolila. The boat had set off from Turtle Islands at 1:45 a.m. Sunday, headed for South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi. Passengers were left clinging to debris until rescuers arrived. A Singaporean-flagged tanker named EONIA first spotted the sinking boat and alerted the Philippine authorities. Navy ships were quickly dispatched for the rescue, thanks to effective communication between the tanker and Naval Monitoring Station Taganak. The survivors were given medical care, food, and clothing aboard the Navy vessel PC-390 before being taken to Taganak Pier for further assistance.