Ship runs aground allegedly in Masbate, skipper pursues voyage

Ship runs aground allegedly in Masbate, skipper pursues voyage
Alan Domingo August 25, 2025 https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/109843/ship-runs-aground-alle...

A ship from Masbate bound for Cebu City reportedly ran aground, but pursued its voyage despite an order from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to return to its port of origin.

M/V Filipinas Surigao del Norte arrived at Cebu City Pier 1 past 10 a.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025.

At least 221 passengers disembarked safely, and were met by PCG personnel.

A few passengers were assisted to an ambulance on standby for a check-up.

Uranos Canturia, one of the passengers, complains of ear ache and chest pain sustained from the impact.

He said that he was knocked slightly by the impact. When he regained consciousness, he said he felt pain in the ears and sustained contusions on his chest.

Another passenger, Aileen Lariba, also complained of hearing difficulty and headache which she said were because of the impact.

The two passengers were rushed to the hospital.

Other passengers began recounting their experience, expressing their fear when the ship pursued its voyage despite the incident.

According to the PCG, MV Filipinas Surigao del Norte left Masbate officially at about 7 p.m. on August 24, 2025. But just two hours into her journey, MV Filipinas Surigao del Norte ran aground.

To ensure passenger safety, the captain was ordered to return to the ship's point of origin as it is closer to the location of the incident. However, the captain did not heed the order and proceeded with the trip going to Cebu City.

To avert any untoward incident, PCG ordered personnel to have the ship monitored in its entire trip, its own vessel tailing the ship.

PCG pointed out that the skipper’s defiance is part of their investigation, as the act is deemed grave violation to rules and regulations on maritime safety.

The skipper is set to submit a marine protest.

The PCG will coordinate with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on the probe.

Meanwhile, Chase Cokaliong, vice president for operations of the shipping line, said that the ship did not run aground.

He pointed out that the ship encountered a slight problem when the ship captain steered clear from fishermen on the route of the vessel.

Upon ocular inspection, the ship captain and his crew reportedly found no damages to the vessel.

Cokaliong said that the shipping line is open to an investigation by the Coast Guard and MARINA on the incident.

Capt. Jerome Lozada, Coast Guard Station Central Cebu commander, said that the ship will be prohibited from sailing, pending investigation.