Military rescues 28 from sinking fishing boat in El Nido

Twenty-eight passengers were rescued from a sinking fishing boat on Thursday by the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command (AFP-Wescom).

In a statement issued Friday, WESCOM said its Joint Task Force Malampaya responded to a distress call made by the fishing boat Athan Uno when it began sinking 35 miles northeast of El Nido and two miles of an ALCON PRODUCTION (AP) platform.

Navy vessel BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC 380) was deployed to respond to Athan Uno, then half-submerged and being towed by another motor banca that was also struck by strong waves.

The passengers of the boat were transferred to BRP Nestor Reinoso and turned over to El Nido DRRMO afterwards.

Athan Uno's captain said they were supposed to fish at West Philippine Sea but were struck by strong waves, resulting in their idle position near the AP platform. — Rie Takumi/RSJ, GMA News