RESCUED AT SEA. Personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) rescued 28 people from a wooden-hulled vessel in distress in the waters of Favorite Bank, Basilan province Monday evening (Feb. 6, 2023). The vessel was sailing to the town of Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi coming from Zamboanga City when its engine malfunctioned. (Photo courtesy of NFWM)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) rescued 28 people from a wooden-hulled vessel in distress off Basilan province, a top military official said Tuesday.
Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said the 28 people, comprising 11 crewmen and 17 passengers, were rescued Monday evening in the waters of Favorite Bank, Basilan province.
Miraflor said the wooden-hulled vessel, M/L Sulna, was sailing to the town of Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, coming from Zamboanga City when its engine malfunctioned.
He said they immediately deployed the Boat Attack 487 (BA487) upon receiving a distress call from the vessel skippered by Cesa Abdul.
The location of the vessel was immediately established with the assistance of the Navy’s Littoral Monitoring Station located in Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan.
The BA487 ferried the passengers consisting of three females and 14 males while another commercial vessel, M/L Salamat, towed M/L Sulna to Zamboanga City.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, commended the NFWM sailors for the "prompt response" and rescue of the troubled vessel. (PNA)
