By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA CITY (January 04, 2017)- While on its course from Zamboanga
City to Davao City, MV Ocean Kingdom, a container vessel registered in Manila,
Philippines, was harassed by armed men boarding two (2) watercrafts off Sibago
Island in the nearby Province of Basilan Monday afternoon, military official
said.
Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Spokesperson Maj. Filemon I. Tan Jr
said that due to the vigilance of the ship crew and the prompt response of
naval troops, the armed perpetrators aborted their attempt to seajack the
vessel and retreated towards Moro Gulf.
Reports from ground units disclosed that the two (2) watercrafts boarded
by the perpetrators were manned by six (6) Abu Sayyaf members armed with M16,
M14, and AK47 rifles.
MV Ocean Kingdom incurred gunshot holes on her port and starboard
freeboard, but no casualty was reported on her crew members.
Tan also disclosed that the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command
deployed naval vessels with the Naval Special Operations Unit in the area. Air
assets were also deployed to conduct aerial reconnaissance and later on
prepositioned in the area as government forces continue to monitor transiting
vessels at Basilan Strait and Zamboanga City waters.
The Joint Task Forces Zamboanga, Basilan, and Sulu were already alerted
and directed to look out and pursue the perpetrators.
MV Ocean Kingdom and its 27 crewmen are now back on its course towards
Davao City.
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