Troops attack MILF camp in Zamboanga province

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Panamanian vessel sinks off Central RP, 4 Koreans, 15 Filipinos; ferry survivor rescued

Photographs released by the military's Western Mindanao Command on Monday, September 07, 2009 show rescuers rushing to the Superferry 9 off Zamboanga del Norte province in the southern Philippines. At least 9 passengers were killed and dozens more are still missing after the ferry went down on Sunday. More than 900 people have been rescued from the ill-fated vessel which was heading to the central Filipino province of Iloilo from General Santos City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 7, 2009) – The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday rescued 19 crew members of a Panamanian cargo ship which sank off Samar province.

Military search team also rescued Monday a passenger, Lita Casumlum, of the ill-fated Superferry 9 that sank off Zamboanga del Norte province over the weekend, said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City.

She said the woman, a native of Iloilo province, was found floating at sea by 505th Search and Rescue Squadron of the Philippine Air Force and brought to Zamboanga City.

“The rescue operation is still going off Zamboanga del Norte,” she told the Mindanao Examiner.

At least 944 passengers and crew members of the Superferry 9 have been rescued since Sunday, but dozens more are still missing. At least 9 passengers were reported killed in the tragedy, including a two-year boy.

In Samar, the Coast Guard said it rescued 4 Koreans and 15 Filipinos from the MV Hera after it sank 11 nautical miles east of Hilaban Island. The crew members were on a lifeboat when they were spotted by two helicopters from the 505th Search and Rescue Squadron.

The Coast Guard said it received a report late Sunday from the Hong Kong Maritime Coordinating Center that the Panamanian vessel was taking water. It was sailing to China’s Jangiagang province from Papua New Guinea when MV Hera listed on its side.

“As of 8:50 a.m. this morning, FB (fishing boat) Pilano-3 with Philippine Coast Guard personnel on board is towing the lifeboat of MV Hera off Tubabao Island with four Korean nationals and fifteen Filipinos on board,” the Coast Guard said.

It was unknown whether the Panamanian vessel hit a reef or not, but the Coast Guard said there is an ongoing investigation and so with the Superferry 9. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine ferry sinks, 2 killed; 88 missing off Zamboanga province

Medical personnel attend to ferry disaster victims in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines on Sunday, September 6, 2009. The Philippine Coast Guard says the Superferry 9 sunk off Zamboanga del Norte province after it listed on its side and capsized. It said the vessel had 847 passengers and 117 crewmen and four sea marshals. It was unknown why the vessel, which came from General Santos City enroute to the central Philippine province of Iloilo, listed off Sirawai town. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Amilbahar Mawallil)

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 6, 2009) – A passenger ship carrying more than 900 people sank Sunday off Zamboanga del Norte province in the southern Philippines, military officials told the Mindanao Examiner.

Officials said two passengers were killed and 761 others have been rescued from the ill-fated Superferry 9 off Sirawai town. Other reports said at least 3 passengers were killed and dozens more are missing after the ship tilted on its side and eventually capsized and sank.

“As of last count, 761 passengers have been rescued while two dead bodies were also recovered,” said Army First Lieutenant Steffani Cacho, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.

It was unknown why the ship listed on its side. Cacho said the ship was sailing to Iloilo province from General Santos City when its captain Jose Yap sent out a distressed signal at around 3.30 a.m. “At 8.30 in the morning, the vessel is completely capsized,” Cacho told the Mindanao Examiner.

The Coast Guard said the ship sunk at past 10 a.m. It said the vessel had 847 passengers and 117 crewmen and four sea marshals.

She said four navy boats were sent to help in the search ands rescue.

“About 30 life crafts were deployed and also four navy patrol vessels, two civilian ships, the MV Myriad and MV Ocean Integrity are conducting rescue operation together with the Coast Guard. Two UH-1H choppers and two OV-10 planes have also deployed to assist in the search and rescue,” Cacho said.

The Coast Guard said 880 people had been rescued and 88 more are still missing.

“As of 1155H, rescued passengers as per latest consolidated report by PCG units and Aboitiz Management: Aboard MV Integrity 268 persons; Aboard MV Myriad 441 persons; Aboard Navy vessel 171 persons; Casualties 3; Total accounted: 880; To be accounted: 88.”

“Total on board SF9: 968 persons when the incident happened. Ongoing rescue operations continue. The said survivors and the 2 fatalities and 4 injured will be brought to Zamboanga City for medical attention and accounting of passengers,” it said. (Mindanao Examiner)