Passengers were rescued from a sinking ferry in the Philippines.

The motor vessel Sitti Nur reportedly encountered strong waves, causing it to fully submerge and leave travellers floating in the waters of Tawi-Tawi on Monday.

Reports said the watercraft was carrying 50 passengers and had departed from Manok Mangkaw Pier in Simunul, with 12 holidaymakers and crew left drifting at sea after it sank.

Emergency responders from the Philippine Coast Guard were promptly deployed, along with the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Marine Search and Rescue (SAR) team, and a speedboat from the provincial disaster office.

Footage shows passengers clinging to makeshift floating devices and debris near the sunken wooden vessel around 9 am local time.

A statement from the Philippine Coast Guard Sub-Station Simunul said: 'The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), together with Honourable Board Member Papay Ladjahali and Honourable Board Member Elshad Abdurahman, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, PNP MPS Simunul, and the Philippine Marines, facilitated the transport of the survivors to their respective places of origin.

'Some survivors chose to remain in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, after being claimed by their relatives. At approximately 5:40 pm, on the same date, M/L Wasilah safely transported the remaining survivors to Manuk Mangkaw, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. By 6 pm, all responding personnel had safely returned to their respective stations.'

Five of the passengers are receiving treatment for severe physical and emotional trauma. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.