AFP sends boats, planes for Masbate rescue

MANILA, Philippines – The military has deployed its forces to help in searching for the missing passengers of a ship that sank off Burias, Masbate on Friday, June 14. 

The Naval Forces Southern Luzon, which is based in Legaspi City, Albay, has deployed a patrol craft (DF-321) with a team of Navy Seals, and a patrol gunboat, according to Lt Col Ramon Zagala, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Zagala added an islander aircraft from Cebu was also deployed to assist the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The 505th search and rescue group of the Philippine Air Force was also tapped to help in rescuing passengers, he said.

“AFP units deployed to the site of the incident will work day-in and day–out in the search and rescue operations led by the Philippine Coast Guard. The lines of communication and close coordination between the agencies involved in the concerted efforts are already in place,” Zagala said.

Two persons died after the ship, MV Our Lady of Mt Carmel, sank at around 5:30 am on Friday. The ship carried 57 passengers, and 15 of them remain missing as of posting time. – Paterno Esmaquel II/Rappler.com