PCG: Three stranded tourists and a guide were rescued by the personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) El Nido from a distressed motor boat 100 meters off Small Lagoon Island last Friday, July 16.

The incident was reported to the Coast Guard by the boat owner, Liza Taba, who stated that M/Bca Christian Mark encountered engine trouble at the said vicinity.

Accordingly, the boat skippered by John Pomedia was carrying two foreign tourists, one Filipino, and a tour guide.

Immediately, CGS El Nido organized a Search and Rescue team to render necessary assistance.

The following rescued passengers were identified as:

1) Fawas Abdullah Almodafer, 36 years old, Saudi Arabian national

2) Abdul Kazaq Alensi, 44 years old, Kuwaiti national

3) Jovelle Salvador, 22 years old, Filipino national

4) Joffrey Manga, 25 years old (tour guide) El NIdo, Palawan

Investigation revealed that at 10:00 AM of July 16, while on their way for island hopping onboard subject motor banca, they encountered engine trouble (loosened push rod plate) that caused the boat to suddenly stop. The crew tried to fix said derangement but yielded negative result.

The Coast Guard team successfully rescued and transferred all passengers to AB-040 and ferried them back to El Nido Town and at the same time, towed the motor banca back to the shoreline of Brgy. Masagana, El Nido, Palawan.