Phil. Navy responds to an emergency distress call in seawaters off Tawi-Tawi

PAGADIAN CITY (March 14, 2021) - The Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS) of the Philippine Navy in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi acted on an emergency distress call on Saturday, March 13, 2021, WestMinCom-PIO Chief Col. Alaric Avelino P. Delos Santos disclosed.

"Based on the report, while Bulk Carrier M/V Ivestos was traversing the southern portion of Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi and heading towards Masinloc, Zambales, a crew forwarded a distress call to LMS Bongao seeking emergency assistance for the boat captain who lost consciousness around 10:30 in the morning on Saturday," Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said.

"The 3rd Boat Attack Division together with the personnel from the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi Forward Medical Team immediately proceeded to the area to check on the status of the patient but unfortunately he did not anymore respond to the medical aid applied to him and was declared dead by the medical team," Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added.

The deceased was identified as Boat Captain Baltazar C Cruz, 62 years old, and a Filipino citizen.

"The cause of death is yet to be determined. In adherence to the medical protocol, the cadaver will undergo quarantine at Batu-Batu Dispensary while waiting for further disposition from their company," Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi Commander Brig. Gen. Rojas, also said.

Bulk Carrier M/V Ivestos originated from the port of Loboc, Indonesia with  23 Crew members composed of 21 Filipinos and two Greek Nationals.

"We commiserate with the family of Boat Captain Cruz who succumbed to death while navigating his vessel at sea," said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Vinluan  commended the Navy troops for the quick response to the distress call. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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