MANILA, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A crew member of a Philippine-flagged cargo ship that sank off Northern Samar province has drowned, and one other is still missing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PSG) said Tuesday.
Apprentice Seaman John Limuel Ballesta of the PCG Northern Samar station told Xinhua in a telephone interview that the vessel MV Jerlyn Khatness, with 15 crew members, sank in the waters off Lavezares town on Monday.
He said the vessel, carrying cement, departed Naga city in Cebu province and was en route to San Jose, Northern Samar, when it was hit by "large waves" in "rough water conditions."
Ballesta said 13 crew members have been rescued. The search and rescue operations continue for the missing crew member, he said. ■