Maritime operation further stepped up following a foiled seajacking in Basilan waters

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.