Posted 10:06 p.m., August 29, 2019
Updated as of 10:14 p.m.
Ten Chinese nationals were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after their boat encountered engine trouble while on its way back to Panglao Island in Bohol from Sumilon Island in Oslob, Cebu.
According to the details provided by Lt. Jr. Grade Michael John Encina, spokesman of PCG Central Visayas (PCG-7), their Coast Guard Station Balicasag received a distress call at about 7:15 p.m. on Thursday from the motorbanca where these Chinese nationals were onboard.
The skipper of motorbanca Go Deep cannot determine their exact location when they sent the distress call.
Encina said they opted to deploy their Quick Response Team (QRT), also based in Balicasag Island, to conduct search and rescue operation.
Coast Guard Panglao was also directed to assist them.
Less than an hour since they received the call, PCG personnel was able to locate the said motorbanca, seven nautical miles away from Balicasag Island.
They were safely transferred to another motorbanca. They disembarked at Daorong, Barangay Danao in Panglao.
Motorbanca Go Deep is being escorted by another motorbanca to dock near Coast Guard Bohol’s office in Tagbilaran City.
It will be temporarily detained there while PCG in Bohol will conduct an investigation.
As of this writing, details of the Chinese nationals and the owner of the motorbanca is yet to be determined.