A woman and two men were rescued after their pumpboat capsized amid big waves in waters between mainland Baclayon and the Island of Pamilacan on Saturday afternoon.

The passengers, identified as married couple Robin and Tating Jo and Michael Dacotala, were stranded mid-sea for 30 minutes before they were rescued by barangay tanod and residents of Baclayon.

No one was injured as all three passengers know how to swim.

“Nakub ag banka, tungod sa kusog na hangin ug bawod,” said Corporal Janeth Opeña of the Baclayon Police Station.

According to Opeña, the passengers were still able to call a barangay tanod after the pumpboat Jo Boat Express capsized at past 1 p.m. but their conversation was later cut off.

The rescued passengers were then taken to Pamilacan.

Prior to the incident, several pumpboat operators have decided not to set sail due to strong winds but the Jos still left mainland Baclayon and traveled to Pamilican.

“Kusog to ag [hangin] mga buntag ug udto,” said Opeña.

However, there was no official advisory from the authorities barring small vessels including bancas from traveling.

According to Opeña, they were still verifying if the Jos had permit to operate the ill-fated pumpboat. (AD)