Southern Leyte (March 3) --- More than 140 people were rescued Monday night after a cargo/passenger vessel incurred engine trouble off Southern Leyte, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday.

A report reaching the PCG headquarters in Manila said MV Maharlika Seiz was on its way to Liloan Port in Southern Leyte from Port of Lipata in Surigao City when it developed engine trouble off San Francisco, also in Southern Leyte, at about 4:30 p.m.

The vessel was carrying 144 crew members and passengers and six rolling cargoes, the report said.

The report said MV Maharlike Siez's sister ship, MV Maharlika II, immediately departed from Port of Lipata to render assistance to the distressed vessel. Two more vessels – PCG SARV 004 and MV Millenium Uno – were also deployed for the rescue mission.

At 11:58 p.m., MV Maharlika Seiz was docked at Liloan Port with all the passengers and crew members safe. It is currently undergoing repairs, the report said.