Abra de ilog: All passengers and crew of a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) passenger vessel that ran aground off Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, were safely evacuated, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. In a statement, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab detailed the incident involving the 779-gross-ton MV RoRo Master 5, which was traveling from the Port of Batangas to the Port of Abra de Ilog. The vessel ran aground 30 meters from the shoreline of Barangay Udalo at 12:45 a.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, PCG personnel quickly arrived at the scene to assist. Utilizing four life rafts and a lifeline secured toward the shoreline, they ensured the safe transfer of all passengers and crew from the vessel. By 6 a.m., everyone had been successfully moved to the Port of Abra de Ilog with the help of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Orange Navigation Inc.

Cayabyab reported that the initial assessment found a rocky seabed in the area, but no marine protected area was affected. There were no signs of an oil spill or water ingress within the vessel. Preliminary investigations suggested that a gyrocompass failure caused the vessel to deviate from its intended course and run aground.

Efforts are ongoing to verify the total number of passengers, crew members, and rolling cargo aboard the vessel. Orange Navigation Inc. indicated that a tugboat from Cedar Company had been requested to assist in refloating the vessel. The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog coordinated with the PCG Command Center for additional support, while the Coast Guard Station Batangas deployed floating assets to aid the operations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) deployed social workers and its Quick Response Team (QRT) to assess the needs of the affected passengers. DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated that their personnel are providing necessary welfare interventions and maintaining close coordination with municipal authorities to ensure that the needs of the affected individuals are met.

The local government unit (LGU) has offered hot meals and medical checkups to the affected passengers, some of whom were safely transported back to the municipalities of Abra de Ilog and Mamburao. Some vehicle owners and truckers remained at the vessel and terminal area, seeking accommodation and compensation from the shipping line for delays and vehicle damage.

Dumlao emphasized that the DSWD will continue working with local authorities to ensure that all affected passengers receive the assistance they require.