The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) on Friday rescued four passengers of a capsized speedboat in the vicinity of the seawaters off Sibutu Passage, Tawi-Tawi province.

Two Malaysian nationals and two Filipinos were rescued after the NFWM received information about a speedboat that capsized west of Bongao Island, Tawi-Tawi on October 7.

It was found that the speedboat capsized due to bad weather and unfavorable sea condition. The boat sank along with its light cargoes leaving the four floating in the water for 15 hours.

All four passengers suffered minor injuries and were exhausted after long hours of floating at sea waiting to be rescued. They were identified as Hassan Bin Sayadi, 59 years old, and Majid Bin Ajahun, 46 years old, both Malaysian nationals, while the two Filipinos were identified as Jerry Erni, 35 years old, and Solar De Leon, 40 years old.

The passengers said they came from Sabah and were en route to Bongao via Sibutu aboard their speedboat.

“Without the report of the commercial vessel and the rescue effort of the Philippine Navy, maybe we are already dead. This is our second life and we owe this to you,” said a teary-eyed Hassan Bin Sayadi in Malay.

The rescued individuals were turned over to the Fleet Medical Team of Naval Task Group Tawi-Tawi for proper medical attention. AAC

A Filipina nurse in the United States died on Sunday from injuries sustained after she was knocked to the ground in Times Square, New York.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York identified the victim as Maria Ambrocio from New Jersey.

“We grieve with the rest of the Filipino Community over the death of our kababayan, Maria Ambrocio, a 58-year-old health frontliner from Bayonne, New Jersey, who is the latest victim of deranged individuals on the loose in New York City,” the Consulate General said in a statement.

She had been on life support for the head trauma she sustained on Friday afternoon after she was knocked down by someone who was described as a mentally disturbed homeless man.

Ambrocio was walking with a fellow Filipino near Times Square after visiting the Philippine Consulate General when she was struck by the suspect who was reportedly being chased after grabbing a mobile phone from someone.

“We have joined calls for authorities to take the necessary steps, including heightened police visibility, to protect the public after we noted the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents that targeted some of our kababayan,” the consulate said.

“We also supported calls for authorities to take the necessary measures to address mental health issues, especially among the homeless,” it added.

“We reiterate these calls as we mourn our loss, but we also ask ourselves: How many more Maria Ambrocios do we have to mourn before the streets would be made safe again?” the consulate further said.

MANILA, Philippines — The United States government through the USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance donated 500 shelter-grade tarpaulins for Filipino families in Batanes whose houses were affected by Typhoon Kiko (International name Chanthu).

The tarps, which arrived on Thursday (September 24), were transported by USAID Philippines partner International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Air Force.

Soon, another 450 USAID shelter-grade tarps will be delivered to the province through the assistance of the Philippine Navy.

All tarpaulin shelters will help 500 affected families in the province.