MANILA - Five fishermen were rescued after their boat capsized when it was hit by big waves due to typhoon Tisoy in waters off Barangay Bolo in Masbate on Tuesday.

The Philippine Coast Guard-Masbate said its personnel immediately conducted search and rescue operation and found the fishermen on top of their capsized boat.

The rescued fishermen were turned over to the custody of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) – Masbate and then brought to the Masbate Provincial Hospital for medical assistance.

Their boat was brought to Masbate Port for temporary safekeeping.

Typhoon Tisoy, the strongest storm to hit the country so far, brought heavy to intense rains and winds in the Bicol Region.

The storm left at least 9 people dead and some P811 million in agricultural damage, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Weather bureau Pagasa said the typhoon weakened further as it continued on its way out of the Philippine area of responsibility.

The storm was last seen 540 kilometers west of Subic, Zambales as of 4 a.m., packing 65 kph winds near the center and 80 kph gusts.