Another boat sinks off Basilan; 15 rescued

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January 28, 2026 | 12:00am

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Philippines — A day after a passenger vessel sank off the coast of Basilan, killing 18 people with 24 missing, another boat capsized early yesterday morning in the waters off this city.

All 15 passengers of the Malaysian-styled boat or junkong were rescued by members of the Coast Guard-Isabela Station (CGIS) and city disaster risk reduction and management office as well as by fisherfolk.

The boat capsized at around 5 a.m. near the coast of Barangay Lukbuton as it was headed to Isabela from Zamboanga City.

The passengers were brought to the CGIS and given relief assistance and medical attention.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that strong waves and a sudden shift of current could have caused the boat to capsize.

The PCG said operators of small watercraft have been reminded to strictly implement safety rules before sailing.

On Monday, 317 people were rescued when the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank near Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhammad Ajul in Basilan. Eighteen people died in the incident.

The Trisha Kerstin was carrying 332 people when it departed Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu.

Survivors said a big wave battered the vessel, causing it to sink.

Search for Devon Bay’s crewmembers continues

Members of a search and rescue team have yet to find the four missing crewmembers of the Singaporean-flagged M/V Devon Bay, which capsized in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday.

Of the vessel’s 21 crewmembers, 15 were rescued, two died and four remained missing including Capt. Elimer Jucal, 47, of San Enrique town, and Jejanfer Marfa of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson urged authorities and maritime stakeholders to intensify the search for the missing seafarers.

San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara said relatives of Jucal went to Manila to wait for developments on the search and rescue operation.

PCG chief Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said Jucal is a hero for not abandoning his vessel and his crewmembers during the tragedy.

The Department of Migrant Workers said the seafarers would be provided financial assistance and psychological counseling.

Yacht catches fire

Meanwhile, a yacht with seven crewmembers on board caught fire as the vessel was headed to a sailing event in Batangas yesterday morning.

In a post on social media, the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog said the motor yacht Allusive and its convoy yacht, Neptimus, were headed to Punta Fuego in Nasugbu to participate in the event.

The vessels, which came from Puerto Galera in Palawan, were sailing near the coast of Tingloy town when a fire broke out on the Allusive.

Responding members of the PCG-Southern Tagalog towed the Allusive toward the shore while the crewmembers were transferred to a PCG vessel.

No one was reported injured in the incident. — Evelyn Macairan, Rhodina Villanueva