Teachers rescued from sunken boat in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Eight teachers and a boatman were rescued yesterday, moments after the motorized boat they had boarded for an outreach mission sank off Sacol Island here.

The teachers, all of Manicahan National High School annex campus, were on their way to Sacol’s Barangay Pasilmanta for the outreach event.

However, the boat allegedly developed engine trouble and sank before they could reach the island.

A larger boat that was ferrying Philippine Air Force reservists and personnel to the island rescued the teachers.

Although the outreach materials and the teachers’ personal belongings were damaged during the incident, authorities said the group went on with the outreach mission.