Xinhua reported citing the chief of the Zamboanga City police Colonel Alexander Lorenzo that the boat left the city's port around 5 p.m. local time Saturday and was sailing to a remote island in Sulu province for a fishing venture when it encountered big waves late Saturday night, which sank the boat in the waters on the city's west coast.

Lorenzo said a fishing vessel spotted the ill-fated boat on Sunday morning and rescued 15 people.

Authorities said they have been searching for the missing male crew members aged 50 and 63.

AMK/PR