By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Five individuals were safely rescued almost an hour after their motorboat capsized off Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi on Friday, amid the prevailing inclement weather.
In a report, Sapa-Sapa’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said the distressed sea travelers were rescued between the islands of Mantabuan and Latuan, both components of the municipality.
“The motorboat capsized around 11:11 a.m., and they were rescued around noon,” the MDRRMO said in its report.
Rescued were Abdulbasit Ismael, Alrafy Harun, Abiqatada Maring, Alsappa Gayong, and Botchoy Bara. One of the passengers, Maring, was injured by a stingray.
He was given immediate first aid on-site and received further treatment at the Tuan Ligaddung Lipae Memorial Hospital.
The motorboat, skippered by Gayong, was traveling to Barangay Poblacion, Sapa-Sapa, when it was battered by huge waves, causing it to overturn.
“Those rescued were on the way to attend an Islamic ceremony at the Mindanao State University in Sapa-Sapa when the incident occurred,” the MDRRMO said.
The bad weather is caused by the southwest monsoon affecting the Visayas, Mindanao, and the western section of Northern Luzon, according to the weather bureau. (PNA)
