By Alec Go
A passenger roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel caught fire off Batangas Anchorage Area on Friday afternoon, Aug. 26, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.
The distressed vessel, MV Asia Philippines, was carrying 48 passengers, 34 crew members, with 16 rolling cargoes onboard. It has an authorized passenger capacity of 402.
The PCG said the vessel departed from Calapan Port at around 03:00 p.m. and was expected to arrive in Batangas Port at 5:30 p.m.
As of 7:30 p.m., the PCG said 73 of the 82 individuals aboard the vessel have been rescued. A 44 year-old female was brought to a hospital due to an injury.
Search and rescue operations, as well as firefighting operations are ongoing.
