By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (February 18, 2018) - Maritime units in Zamboanga City area stepped up
their pursuit operations to scour the waters off Basilan island following a
seajacking attempt on a Philippine vessel that lost propulsion late evening of
Friday (Feb 16), military official said.
Western
Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed
that the Western Mindanao Command received a distress call from the
Presidential Management Staff and other agencies of government seeking
assistance over an attempt to seajack Marine Vessel Kudos, a Philippine flagged
cargo vessel at the vicinity of Coco and Sibago islands in Basilan at past 10pm
Friday.
Immediately,
WestMinCom activated the Anti-Kidnaping Joint Task Force under Rear Admiral
Rene Medina, Commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao who at once deployed
for maritime interdiction five Navy vessels with elements towards the targeted
area. In the same manner, the Phil Coast Guard under Capt Ronnie Gil Gavan, the
Commander of the Coast Guard Southwestern District dispatched two of its water
crafts as augmentation.
"We
immediately alerted all units and deployed our assets to thwart the attack on
MV Kudos on Sibago,” said Rear Admiral Medina.
“Deployments
were also swiftly done through lateral coordination of the Anti-Piracy Task
Force Command.
“Meanwhile,
two aircrafts were dispatched by the PAF to conduct aerial survey and patrol.
“Sensing
that the crew of their target vessel could have sent distress call to
government security forces, the pirates scampered away before the former swoop
down on them”, RADM Medina further said.
Cpt.
Petinglay said that at 11:25pm Friday (February 16), the troops, with coast
guard personnel, already established radio contact with the crew of MV Kudos. Navy
troops aboard fast crafts promptly conducted maritime interdiction and counter
action operations at the reported location of the said incident.
With proper
coordinations, coast guard personnel boarded MV Kudos upon reaching the
vessel's location for initial investigation and provided medical assistance and
first aid to some of its crew members who suffered minor bruises from broken
objects when they were fired upon by the armed group. No one among the crew of
MV Kudos was abducted.
At
midnight, MV Kudos and all its crew members were declared safe and were
escorted by MMRV 4402 and the navy ship PC386 going to Zamboanga City anchorage
area.
“We were
pleased that the crew did not lose their presence of mind. Their raw courage
enabled them to pour hot water to the pirates who were already attempting to
climb the vessel,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander of
the Western Mindanao Command.
“Their
action was also instrumental in foiling the seajacking attempt.”
At 2:41
Saturday morning, the vessel arrived at the Zamboanga port. All other coast
guard and navy vessels and units are still in the vicinity conducting maritime
patrol and pursuit operations.
“The recent
incident manifest that our response system works and proves effective in
thwarting sea-jacking attempts as long as it is reported to the authorities
early.”
“My
commendations to our Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force units for their forthwith
and swift response to save people in danger.” added LtGen Galvez.
“This only
shows that with coordination and planning, we will be able to disrupt, deter,
or prevent, and possibly interdict terrorists and criminal elements that sow
fear among our vessels and seafarers.
"Our
Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard units will continue their joint maritime
patrol and pursuit operations to ensure that the culprits involved in this foiled
attempt will be neutralized; and the incidence of piracy and other high crimes
at sea will be minimized if not totally eradicated,” said the WestMinCom chief.
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