Personnel aboard a Philippine Marine Corps speedboat came to the aid of 13 people who needed to be evacuated after their vessel caught fire in the waters off the southern province of Tawi-Tawi on Sunday, May 15.
The incident involving the unnamed boat occurred while it was underway between Mantabuan and Banaran Islands in Tawi-Tawi on Sunday.
Troops from a nearby marine corps detachment deployed to the area after an eyewitness shared information about the distressed boat and its occupants.
The marines and some Good Samaritans successfully rescued all 13 people who were on the distressed boat. This number also included four small children.
The survivors were later brought ashore to be treated by Philippine Navy medical personnel before being reunited with their respective families.
Authorities have not yet provided details on the cause of the fire.
