8 rescued after boat capsizes off Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least seven public primary school  teachers and a student were rescued when the motorized banca outrigger ferrying them capsized Friday morning in the sea channel off Isabela City, Basilan, police said.

Superintendent Albert Larubis, Isabela City Police director, said the victims on board a rented motorized banca outrigger left the pier of Isabela City on their way to report to Malamawi Island, when it sunk a few meters away from the local wharf.

Malamawi Island, which is separated by a sea channel, is about 200 meters away from Isabela City where residents use banca and motorized pumpboat in crossing the channel. Most of the teachers assigned in the area are based in the mainland Basilan.

The police said teachers prompted to jump overboard and clung on the floating ill-fated craft before they were rescued by the other banca operators plying on the same route. 

Larubis said the teachers were unhurt but their school documents and paraphernalia were lost and damaged from the incident.