Tawi-tawi: Five individuals were safely rescued almost an hour after their motorboat capsized off Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi, amid the prevailing inclement weather.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Sapa-Sapa's Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported that the distressed sea travelers were rescued between the islands of Mantabuan and Latuan. The motorboat capsized around 11:11 a.m., and they were rescued around noon.

The individuals rescued were Abdulbasit Ismael, Alrafy Harun, Abiqatada Maring, Alsappa Gayong, and Botchoy Bara. One of the passengers, Maring, sustained an injury from a stingray and was given immediate first aid on-site, followed by further treatment at the Tuan Ligaddung Lipae Memorial Hospital.

The motorboat, with Gayong as the skipper, was en route to Barangay Poblacion, Sapa-Sapa, when it was hit by huge waves, leading to its overturning. The passengers were on their way to attend an Islamic ceremony at the Mindanao State University in Sapa-Sapa at the time of the incident.

The adverse weather conditions were attributed to the southwest monsoon affecting the Visayas, Mindanao, and the western section of Northern Luzon, as reported by the weather bureau.