Nine individuals were rescued after the motorboat they were riding capsized in Dumanjug, Cebu despite a no-sail policy enforced by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Oriental, an official said yesterday.

Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental commander, told the Philippine News Agency that the motorboat departed on Monday afternoon, November 3, from the coast of La Libertad without permission from the agency.

“They were just waiting for a chance to leave without the Coast Guard watching them and insisted on sailing even though all types of sea travel in Negros Oriental were suspended earlier that day,” Enopia said.

Coast Guard personnel in the province earlier distributed flyers and talked to fisherfolk and coastal communities ahead of the onslaught of Typhoon “Tino” (international name “Kalmaegi”) in Negros Oriental, she added.

The eight passengers and the motorboat operator were plucked from the sea by responding Coast Guard personnel in Dumanjug and were all declared safe.

As of yesterday, all types of sea travel remain suspended in Negros Oriental as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals of varying numbers were still hoisted over the province, the local Coast Guard chief said. (PNA)