Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City – Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), through its Naval Task Force 61’s 3rd Boat Attack Division, rescued four passengers of a capsized speedboat in the vicinity of the seawaters off Sibutu Passage, Tawi-Tawi province in the morning of Oct. 8.
Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS) Bongao received information from bulk carrier W-Raptor, which was traversing the area at that time, that it noticed a capsized speedboat. LMS Bongao immediately called the attention of the 3rd Boat Attack Division based in Naval Station Juan Magluyan in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi.
According to the NFWM public affairs officer, after receiving the report, Multi-Purpose Attack Craft MPAC BA488 and BRP Juan Magluyan (PC392) were immediately dispatched to locate and conduct rescue and assistance for the capsized vessel.
While underway and establishing communication with the bulk carrier, BA488 and PC392 located their spot seven nautical miles west of Bongao Island, Tawi-Tawi.
It was found that the speedboat carrying the four passengers capsized due to bad weather and unfavorable sea conditions, and eventually sank along with its light cargoes leaving the four floating in the water for 15 gruelling hours.
All four passengers suffered minor injuries and were exhausted after long hours of floating at sea while waiting to be rescued. They were identified as Hassan Bin Sayadi, 59, and Majid Bin Ajahun, 46, both Malaysian nationals, while the two Filipinos were identified as Jerry Erni, 35, and Solar De Leon, 40.
They came from Sabah and were en route to Bongao via Sibutu aboard their speedboat when the incident happened at around 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 7.
“Without the report of the commercial vessel and the rescue effort of the Philippine Navy, maybe we are already dead. This is our second life and we owe this to you,” a teary-eyed Hassan Bin Sayadi said in Malay.
Upon the arrival of BA488 and PC392 at Lamion Wharf, Bongao, the rescued individuals were turned over to the Fleet Medical Team of Naval Task Group Tawi-Tawi for proper medical attention.
NFWM Commander Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. commended the officers and men of NTF-61, BA488, PC392, 3rd Boat Attack Division, LMS Bongao, and the commercial vessel for their timely reporting of the incident and the successful search and rescue operation. He encouraged the troops to sustain their readiness to respond to emergencies at sea. (NFWM) – jlo
