Motor banca capsizes off Cebu; all passengers safe

Coast Guard operatives rescued the passengers of a motor banca that capsized before dawn Friday while on its way to Cebu from Bohol. The banca "RD Express" was on its way to Cebu City when it capsized off Hilutungan Island and Cordova town in Mactan Island, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported. Philippine Coast Guard Cebu head Rolando Punzalan Jr. sent a search-and-rescue unit to the area where the passengers and crew were rescued. A separate report on Bombo Raydo said there were some 100 passengers and crew members who were rescued. The report said the vessel left Bohol at 8 p.m. Thursday for Pasil Fish Port in Cebu. In the meantime, the Coast Guard has asked the vessel's captain to submit a marine protest as part of its investigation. An initial investigation showed the weather was fine when the vessel capsized. — LBG, GMA News