Sailors Receive Awards for Foiling Illegal Activities of a Foreign Vessel

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http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1034654

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (May 9, 2018) – Sailors of Naval Forces Western Mindanao received awards for foiling smuggling activities of MV Diamond 8 on Monday, May 7, 2018 during the conduct of Flag Raising Ceremony at Headquarters Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Bagong Calarian Zamboanga City.

NFWM-Public Affairs Officer Ensign Jesca May P Viduya PN said that the Commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina with the Acting Commander, Naval Task Force 61, CAPT Joe Anthony C. Orbe awarded the gallant sailors of BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS 38). The Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (BA485) and NAVSOU6 with Bronze Cross Medal for the successful apprehension of the Mongolian-registered vessel, MV Diamond 8 for its illegal transport of smuggled rice.

               

Each unit’s representative received the award,

-LCDR Ted C Cerezo Jr., PN, Commanding Officer of PS 38;

-LCDR Cesar K Pangan Jr., PN, Commanding Officer of Boat Attack Division;

-LTJG Jaymar C Jayson PN; and

-S1UO Rey M Tano PN of NAVSOU6. 

Ensign Viduya added that the award given to the gallant sailors merits their efficiency, loyalty and selfless devotion to duty in connection with the rescue and assistance mission rendered to M/V Diamond 8. And subsequently apprehended for smuggling One Thousand Three Hundred Fifty Nine Metric Tons (1,359 MT) of rice with an estimated market value of Sixty Seven Million Pesos (P 67,000,000.00) and the apprehension of 15 foreign crew and 51 illegally employed Filipinos with 3 minors in the vicinity off Olutanga Island, Zamboanga Sibugay Province last April 14, 2018.

“We witness the awarding of our deserving units in the recent successful anti-smuggling operation. Having heard the contents of the citations of the award for Bronze Cross medal, I hope that it will convey to all of us here, the inspiration of fulfilling our duty and mandate with bravery, dignity, and honor”, said Rear Adm Medina.

Indeed, the dedication to duty and inspiration of the Sailors and Marines in the Western Mindanao had resulted to the successful conduct of maritime patrol and naval operations of the Philippine Navy. With this, the Philippine Navy through the Naval Forces Western Mindanao will continue to sustain its level of readiness at all times to protect our waters against any threats and lawless activities, Ensign Viduya said.