A water taxi collided with a fast craft at the waters near Matoco Point in Batangas City, resulting in the death of the captain and one crew member, said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Batangas.

The casualties, identified as residents of Puerto Galera, were aboard the water taxi.

The water taxi, carrying five foreign passengers and four crew members, going to Batangas City from Puerto Galera, was split in half. 

The fast craft, carrying over 100 passengers and 19 crew members, going to Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro from Batangas City, sustained significant damage in its bow.

"The only reason na puwede 'yung [masira] is a great degree of impact... 'yung speed kailangang ma-determine natin both of them, the speed," Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, Commander of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, said.

As of this writing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues its investigation, considering witness accounts and nautical rules.

"We will get statements [and] witness accounts. Ganyan 'yan it's a process, hindi ka puwedeng basta basta magturo... we will determine. Meron din tayo that there is a nautical rules of the road," Tuvilla added.

The local government will be extending assistance to the families of the fatalities.

"Pati owner of the shipping naman ay very generous, shinoulder n'ya lahat [ng bayaran]. Sa amin, dinala namin sa hospital, so kami na 'yung nag-shoulder noon," Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky Ilagan, said.

The foreign passengers of the water taxi are still in Puerto Galera, as of this writing.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) issued a show-cause order to the owner of the water taxi.

The ship safety certificate of the two vessels were suspended.