Twenty passengers and crewmembers of a motorized banca, were rescued by the Philippine Navy Gunboat BRP Jose Andrada, under the Naval Forces Central of the Philippine Navy, near the Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental, at about 11:24 a.m. Tuesday.

Lt. Jg. Froilan Villariza, executive officer of the BRP Andrada, said the passengers on board MB Esmeralda del Mar were safely brought to Apo Island.

Ten of the passengers were American nationals, two British, one German, and three Filipinos, who Villariza said, are believed, to be tourists who intended to visit the island for snorkeling.

He said they were informed at around 10:40 a.m., that the motorized banca had lost its rudder about five nautical miles northeast of the Apo Island from the Coco Grove Resort, in Siquijor Island. Villariza said the strong waves could have triggered the incident.

The boat is a registered sea-craft in Siquijor, under the name of boat master Prettyboy Manalastas. It was given clearance by the Philippine Coast Guard before it departed from the island.

Villariza said Manastalas has been advised to ask another motorized boat to transport the passengers back to Siquijor, since there is no assurance that MB Esmeralda will be cleared to resume sail.*MA

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