(Updated 7:55 a.m.) - Seven passengers were reported killed, five others missing while 15 were rescued after a boat with 27 passengers sank Wednesday morning off Tawi-Tawi, in the southernmost Philippines.
 

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo cited initial information reaching Coast Guard headquarters in Manila indicating the incident occurred off Tampat Point in Pasiagan, Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported.

 

An initial investigation by the PCG showed the boat Sirana was on its way from Sipangkot Island in the Sibutu group of islands to Bongao when it encountered big waves and sank.

 

The PCG station in Bongao said that as of Thursday, 4 a.m., seven were reported killed, five missing and 15 passenders have been rescued.
 

Search and rescue operation will continue Thursday, the PCG said.

The Coast Guard is working with the local Philippine National Police to rescue the passengers aboard the ill-fated vessel, he added. — LBG, GMA News