Up to 210 passengers and 15 crew members were rescued from a distressed vessel near Pangasahan Island in Basilan around 4:47 a.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026.

According to the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), its personnel were conducting search and rescue operations for the missing individuals from the ill-fated M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island when they received information about the distressed vessel near Pangasahan Island.

PCG personnel responded and immediately and rescued the passengers and crew members safely.

Authorities said the boat was heading to Zamboanga City from Banguingui, Sulu when it experienced a mechanical failure affecting its ability to steer or change direction.

The distressed vessel was brought to a safer distance offshore, and the128 of 225 people on board were transferred while the 82 others remain on board together with the 15 crew members.

As of this writing, the vessel was towed to Zamboanga City for the safe disembarkation of the rescued individuals.