A captain of a tugboat and an oiler died while six other crew members were rescued after the tugboat and a Panamanian-flagged vessel collided in the waters off Maasim, Sarangani morning on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the tugboat was towing a cargo vessel from Glan, Sarangani to Iligan City while the foreign vessel, carrying cement, was heading to General Santos City.

The foreign vessel allegedly passed between the tugboat and the cargo vessel, causing the towing line to snap, which resulted in the collision and in the tugboat capsizing.

“May isang foreign vessel na papuntang General Santos City… unfortunately, dito sya dumaan sa gitna nung tug boat and cargo vessel… resulted na nag-snap yung towing line, which is the possible cause ng capsizing nung tugboat,” Coast Guard District Southern Mindanao (CGDSM) Spokesperson, Lt. j.g. Gideon Li Dulnuan, said.

The 20 crew members of the foreign vessel were safe.

Authorities held the foreign vessel, as of this writing, while investigation continues.

Coast Guard personnel are also monitoring the area to ensure there is no oil spill.

“Pinuntahan na rin ng mga personnel namin to verify to make sure na walang oil spill na mangyayari doon sa ngayon nadoon pa sila to investigate,” Dulnuan added.

The crew members rescued were given medical attention while the captain’s body has been taken to a funeral home.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the foreign vessel for a statement, as of this writing.