May 26, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23,1424

MANILA, May 25: At least 28 people drowned and 203 others were plucked to safety on Sunday after two Philippine passenger ferries collided during bad weather, a navy spokesman said.

An unknown number of passengers were also believed missing after the wooden-hulled MV San Nicolas rammed into the Super Ferry 12 in choppy waters off the coast of Corregidor and Limbones islands west of Manila.

It was the latest in a long list of deadly sea tragedies in the 7,000-island Philippine archipelago, where ferries are a common mode of transport.

The San Nicolas was on its way to Manila from the southwestern island of Palawan while the bigger vessel was en route to the central city of Cebu when the accident occurred.

Commander Gerry Malabanan of the Philippine Navy said the death toll at 8:00 pm was 28 dead with 203 rescued.

All the casualties were from the San Nicolas. None of the 1,400 passengers aboard the Super Ferry 12 were injured, initial reports said.

The management of San Nicolas said its manifest contained 198 passengers and crew, lower than the number who died and were rescued.

Coast Guard spokesman Lieutenant Armando Balilo said it appeared several passengers of the vessel were not listed.

San Nicolas officials said the vessel can carry up to 280 passengers and crew but rejected suggestions that it could have been overloaded.—AFP