19 rescued off Catanduanes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy rescued yesterday 19 passengers of a motorized banca that went missing on Tuesday while traveling from Catanduanes to Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said the BRP Hilario Ruiz found the passengers drifting in waters off Gigmoto town in Catanduanes at around 11 a.m. yesterday.

In a bulletin, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the banca’s passengers had been reported missing since Tuesday.

Navy vessels and a military helicopter scoured the rough seas between Catanduanes and Rapu-Rapu for the motorized banca.

Cedric Daep, an NDCC official in Albay, said the banca left Catanduanes Tuesday afternoon but failed to arrive at its destination in nearby Rapu-Rapu, a distance of about 40 kilometers.

The Coast Guard said the banca operator told his relatives in a cell phone text message that they had encountered rough weather.

Monsoon rains have been pounding northern Luzon for days, causing floods and canceling classes in Metro Manila.

The weather bureau has warned of flash floods and landslides and advised boats to stay in port.

Winds can reach up to 55 kilometers per hour and waves can surge up to five meters, the weather bureau added.