ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) has rescued a wooden-hulled vessel in distress with 67 people on board off Basilan province, a top military official announced Monday.
Rear Adm. Rene Medina, NFWM commander, said M/L Fatima Devie skippered by Cesar Abdul was rescued at around 10:20 p.m. Friday near Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhatamad town.
M/L Fatima Devie was manned by seven crew members aside from Abdul, and was loaded with 59 people at the time of the incident.
Medina said investigation showed the vessel was sailing to Zamboanga City coming from Taganak, Turtle Island municipality, Tawi-Tawi “when the rudder broke that resulted to a major steering casualty” at around 7:20 p.m. Friday.
The mechanical defect caused the vessel to drift at sea, Medina added.
The NFWM through the Naval Task Force 61 deployed BRP-Iwak (LC-289) to provide assistance to the vessel in distress.
Medina said BRP-Iwak, which is skippered by Cmdr. Homer Gonzalez, rescued M/L Fatimah Devie at around 10:20 p.m. Friday and towed the vessel to safety.
He said they arrived at around 1:38 a.m. Saturday at a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, this city.
He said the successful rescue operations of the Navy vessels proves the readiness and responsiveness of the Naval Force in the Western Mindanao.
He added the Philippine Navy stands ready to render assistance and support to vessels in distressed while conducting its missions and maritime patrols in the Western Mindanao region. (PNA)
