Philippine fishing boat missing with 21 aboard

Rescue vessels and a helicopter searched the rough seas in the eastern Philippines today for a fishing boat that disappeared in foul weather with 21 people aboard, officials said.

The small boat left Catanduanes island Wednesday afternoon but failed to arrive at its destination on Rapu-Rapu island, about 25 miles away, said disaster official Cedric Daep in Albay province.

Navy vessels and an air force helicopter launched a search today as soon as the weather improved, the coast guard said.

The boat operator sent a cellphone text message to his relatives saying the vessel had encountered rough weather, a radio report said.

Families of the missing passengers in Catanduanes started their own sea search but failed to find any wreckage or survivors, the coast guard said.

Monsoon rains have been pounding the main northern island of Luzon for days, causing waist-deep floods and canceling classes in the capital, Manila.

The weather bureau warned of flash floods and landslides and advised fishing boats to stay in port.

It said winds could reach up to 35 mph and waves could surge up to 16 feet.