Manila - Five people including three children drowned when a boat capsized in the southern Philippines, a regional military spokesman said Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Batara said 14 other passengers were rescued after the accident that occurred Saturday in the seas off Pata town on Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila.

"One of the motorboat operators was able to swim toward a nearby island and asked for help," he said.

Batara said the boat was battered by huge waves and strong winds that caused it to capsize. (dpa)