In another incident, a sea-jacking attack was thwarted by patrolling navy ships after responding to a distress call.
What happened?
Last week, a sea-jacking attempt by the Abu Sayyaf off Tawi-Tawi was thwarted by patrolling navy ships that responded to a distress call from the Panamanian-flag ship MV Dong Hae Star.
Lieutenant Jose F Covarrubias, Jr., acting public affairs officer of the Western Mindanao Naval Forces, said the suspicious black-coloured speedboats maneuvered out to open sea upon seeing the responding navy ships.
Swift action by patrolling team:
Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina, the commander of the Western Mindanao Naval Forces, said additional vessels have been deployed under the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and Sulu to intensify patrol and monitoring operations. Meanwhile, in Sulu, a high-powered firearm and other combat equipment belonging to the bandit group were recovered during clearing operations in Barangay Paligi, Indanan.
Capt. Jo-ann D Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said the clearing was undertaken after a 10-minute clash with Abu Sayyaf members. “The troops continue to conduct pursuit on the evading Abu Sayyaf members, who brought with them their casualties,” Ms. Petinglay said.
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Source: BusinessWorld
