A motorized boat carrying 57 persons and 200 sacks of copra left a Masbate port without inspection by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and sank near Burias Island on Sunday morning, the PCG in Bicol said. Petty Officer Third Class Jobert Ehurango, assistant in charge of operations of PCG Bicol, said the motorized banca Jonalyn had just left San Pascual port on Masbate’s Burias Island at around 3 a.m. bound for Pasacao, Camarines Sur, when a floating log punctured its side, causing water to rush in and swamp the boat. Ehurango said the boat was carrying 52 passengers, five crew members and 200 sacks of copra when it sank off Animasola Islet, about three meters from the San Pascual port.

Barrameda, S. M. (2015, January 5). 57 persons safe, but copra sinks in boat off Burias isle. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A2.