ZAMBOANGA CITY – Troops of the 4th Marine Brigade have rescued nine passengers of a capsized boat off the waters of Barangay Tandu Bato, Luuk, Sulu on Sunday, military officials announced Monday.

Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, said in a statement the nine passengers were composed of two adults and seven minors. The oldest is 28 and the youngest is 12 years old.

“Based on the report submitted by Col. Vincent Mark Anthony Blanco, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade, they deployed immediately their rescue unit following information from a concerned fisherman of the capsized boat off waters of Barangay Tandu Bato in the municipality of Luuk, Sulu,” said Patrimonio, also the head of the 11th Infantry Division.  

Blanco said in a statement that the motorboat was overloaded. As it headed towards Sitio Taindi in Barangay Kan Mindus, Luuk,  it was battered by big waves which caused it to capsize. 

“Our Marines brought the rescued individuals for first aid treatment and medical management at the Luuk District Hospital. The rescued passengers are in good condition and we turned them over to the Municipal Disasters Rescue Management Office (MDRMO) of Luuk, Sulu,” Blanco added. 

Patrimonio lauded the Marines’ prompt response.