Missing landing craft found off Palawan

MANILA, Philippines — A landing craft that was reported missing in Batangas on Saturday was found in the waters off Palawan on Monday.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s Islander plane spotted the LCT Aviva and its 17 crewmembers some 506 kilometers from its last known location. The vessel was escorted by the PCG’s BRP Cabra to Dinapak island, where its engine was fixed. 

“The main engine… shut off, causing the tanker to drift from Fortune island in Nasugbu, Batangas,” Capt. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said.

The landing craft, which came from Cebu, reportedly went adrift after its lost power.

Meanwhile, PCG personnel rescued on Monday 11 passengers and two crewmembers of a motorized boat who were stranded in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

A report received by the Caraga police showed the boat was traveling to Siargao island in General Luna town when the operator lost track.

The boat took shelter on an islet in Alambique to avoid running out of fuel. – With Ben Serrano