Nine persons on board a motorbanca were rescued in the waters between Botlog Island and Pulupiña in Concepcion town, Province of Iloilo.

The rescue took place at about 2 p.m. on August 27, 2025, after their motorbanca was struck reportedly by huge waves and submerged.

In a video on the rescue, the rescued persons were seen being helped to another motorbanca.

According to them, they went to the town center to buy supplies and were on their way home to Baliguian Island when the boat was struck by huges waves and got filled with seawater.

It took about 20 minutes for the passengers to stay afloat before a motorbanca passed in the area and spotted them.

None among the passengers were reported injured, but most of the supplies they bought were submerged as well in the boat. 

The passengers were taken immediately to Malangabang Island before they proceeded to Baligiuan Island.

The incident is being investigated by the Coast Guard District Substation in Concepcion as of this writing.

Authorities reminded the public to be cautious about sea conditions before pursuing a voyage.

“Mabuti na lang hindi tumaob, pinasok lang ng tubig kaya nakalutang pa. Kahit napuno (ng tubig) ang ano (motor banca), nakalutang pa rin dahil sa kahoy,” Herven Asturias, the person who rescued the passengers, said. 

(via GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas Desk)