Navy ship rescues stranded tourists, island caretakers in Masbate

A Philippine Navy ship has rescued 100 local tourists and two island caretakers who were reported to be stranded on Sombero Island in Masbate, a regional military spokesman said Wednesday.

In a statement, Col. Angelo de Guzman of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command said those stranded were rescued Tuesday morning.

De Guzman said elements of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon's Patrol Gun Boat 370  under  LT Edwin Nuestro Jr. carried out the operation. 

The team was dispatched "despite the turbulent seas to respond to a distress call from the stranded tourists," the statement said.

Most of those stranded were from Manila. — with Peewee Bacuño/RSJ, GMA News