CEBU CITY: A Roll-on, Roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel ran aground off the shores of Madridejos, on northern Bantayan Island in Cebu, leading to the rescue of 287 individuals onboard. The incident occurred early Monday morning.
According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency, the vessel, MV Filipinas Butuan, had left the pier in Cebu City on Sunday evening and was slated to reach Iloilo City Monday morning. However, while avoiding a fish cage, the vessel drifted into shallow waters near the coastal village of Kaongkod and ran aground. Coast Guard personnel from Madridejos, Bantayan, and Santa Fe, as well as Bantay Dagat wardens, were involved in the rescue operations. Commander Mark Larsen Mariano, deputy chief of PCG-7 (Central Visayas), stated that 250 passengers, including two infants and six children, along with 37 crew members, were safely transferred to the shore using three motorboats and Bantay Dagat service boats. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Central Visayas has since suspended the operation of MV Filipinas Butuan pending further investigation.