9 still missing in sea tragedy

At least nine passengers of a motorized banca that capsized en route to Zamboanga City last week have remained missing, authorities said.

A belated report to the Coast Guard headquarters in Manila said two other passengers of motorized banca Shernalyn survived in the June 14 mishap. The boat had come from Maligi Island when it met the tragedy.

Search and rescue operations for the missing passengers have so far yielded negative results.

The sea mishap was the third in the country last week. On June 11, a motorized banca sank off the coast of Barangay Sabang in Caluya, Antique. All of its 12 passengers were rescued.

On June 13, meanwhile, another motorized banca, Mary-Ann, capsized off Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte. — Jose Aravilla