Soldiers Encounters Pirates at the High seas of Zamboanga Sur

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY – The joint Government troops belong to the Charlie Company of 44^th Infantry Battalion and Special Forces Company under the 6^th Special Forces Battalion while aboard 2 speed boats conducting a seaborne patrol encountered at least 5 heavily armed men believed to be a members of pirates aboard a pump boat operating at the high seas of Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur and Malangas, Zamboaga Sibugay Monday at about 10 o’clock in the morning, January 28, 2013.

LtCol Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr, the Commanding Officer of 44IB in his reports to the headquarters of the Army’s Premier Infantry (Tabak) Division disclosed that while on seaborne patrol at the vicinity near Brgy Talanusa, Margos sa Tubig, ZDS the troops encountered five lawless elements aboard a pump boat believed to be an extortionist and pirates group led by AKA Kiyang Balimbingan.

A running gun battle lasted for more or less 2 hours towards the shoreline of Brgy Bacao of Malangas, ZSP where the lawless had withdrawn. The pump boat with bloodstain that the lawless had used was left at the shoreline of Brgy Bacao and was recovered by the pursuing soldiers.

There was no reported casualty on the government troops and as of this report, additional troops from 44^th Infantry Battalion and 6^th Special Forces Battalion arrived at the area to pursue the withdrawing lawless elements.   

Meanwhile, MGen Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the Commander of the 1^st Infantry Division, directed the commanders in the area to run after the lawless elements that are sowing fear among the local populace who wants to live a peaceful life particularly the ordinary fishermen. (With reports from DPAO)