4 Japanese, 8 Filipinos rescued after vessel capsized off C. Philippines

MANILA, Sept. 8 -- Four Japanese and eight Filipinos were rescued

by a fishing vessel after their outrigger vessel capsized off Camotes island in

Cebu due to strong winds and rough seas on Monday, the National Disaster

Coordinating Council reported on Tuesday.

NDCC executive officer and concurrent Office of the Civil Defense

administrator Glenn Rabonza said the vessel, M/B World Big4, was taking the

Japanese tourists on an island hopping when the incident occurred.

The vessel left Punta Engaflo in Mactan at around 11 a.m. Monday, said

Rabonza. The vessel had 12 people, including five crew members, on board.

At around 4 p.m., Rabonza said the Philippine Coast Guard in Camotes island

received a distress call about a passenger vessel that capsized in the area "due

to strong winds and rough seas."

"All crew and passengers were rescued by a fishing vessel and were

temporarily brought to Santiago Beach resort in Camotes island for treatment of

minor injuries," said Rabonza.

Rabonza said the incident was caused by the heavy rains induced by the

southeast monsoon rains that has affected the Philippines.