RESCUED AT SEA. A marine soldier assigned with the Small Unit Riverine Craft (left) helps pull out a woman Monday evening (May 9, 2022) from the waters of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The troops were fetching electoral board members and vote-counting machines at Lato-Lato Elementary School when they noticed distress light signals at sea, prompting them to render assistance. (Photo courtesy of 2Mbde)
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Troops of the 2nd Marine Brigade (2Mbde) have rescued seven persons at sea while transporting members of the electoral board and vote-counting machines (VCMs) in Tawi-Tawi, a top military official said Tuesday.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, the 2Mbde commander, identified the rescued individuals as Nurkaiza Maduid, 42; Nadania Aripin, 31; Sherie Abdulasan, 52; Arzaida Monteron, 33; Apra Tuanpanis, 12; Omar Tuanparis, 29; and Sadeeq Taunparis, 30.
They were rescued by the crew of Small Unit Riverine Craft (SURC) Monday evening in the waters off Barangay Lato-Lato, Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi.
Racadio said the SURC crew was fetching members of the electoral board and VCMs at Lato-Lato Elementary School when they noticed the flashing of distress light signals at sea.
“Without hesitation, the unit immediately approached and verified the unusual signals and discovered a capsized motorized boat and rescued the seven passengers clinging on it,” he said in a statement.
He said the victims, who are residents of Barangay Lamion, Bongao, were brought to the headquarters of the 82nd Marine Corps in Lamion Wharf.
The 2Mbde medical team conducted a health check on the survivors and found them well despite the incident. (PNA)
