ZAMBOANGA, Philippines - The Malaysian captain of a tugboat was killed and six of his crew were rescued after the vessel's tow cable snapped while they were off the southern Philippines, the navy said Saturday.

The cable snapped and struck and killed the unidentified captain of the tugboat Vestgut five days ago, navy lieutenant Nancy Pastor said.

The Vestgut , which had been hauling a barge, then suffered engine trouble and was spotted drifting by Filipino fishing boats who informed the navy.

Two Philippine navy boats rescued the tugboat on Friday off the Pangutaran islands near the maritime border between the two countries. - AFP