Manila, Dec 24 - At least 27 people were missing as a wooden-hulled passenger vessel sank Thursday in the Philippines after colliding with a fishing boat, the coast guard said.

Forty-six people were rescued from the waters around Limbones Island off Cavite province, just south of Manila, where the accident took place before dawn.

The coast guard said the MV Catalyn B was carrying 14 crew members and 59 passengers when it left Manila on Wednesday evening for Lubang Island, 150 km southwest of the capital. (dpa)