ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Coastguard has advised its personnel assigned as sea marshals to be always on alert while on duty aboard ships.
Lt. Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coastguard Station commander, on Monday issued the advice after a PCG personnel, assigned as sea marshal of a passenger vessel, was wounded in a knife attack in Sulu.
Ramos said the incident happened Friday afternoon near the town of Siasi, Sulu. He identified the wounded PCG personnel as Seaman Second Class (SN2) Michael Ladja, head of the sea marshals of M/V Ever Queen.
The suspect, who was killed by the other sea marshals, was identified as Juldi Mahbud, a resident of Siasi.
Investigation showed that Ladja was accompanying the vessel crew, who was at that time were conducting ticket inspection when Mahbud went berserk and stabbed the sea marshal.
Mahbud was shot and killed by two PCG personnel who was with Ladja at the time.
The M/V Ever Queen returned to Siasi and brought Ladja to a hospital. Later, the vessel resumed its voyage to Jolo, the capital of Sulu, Ramos said.
Capt. Joseph Coyme, Coastguard District Southwestern Mindanao commander, dispatched the BRP-Bagacay (MRRV-4410) to fetch Ladja, who is now recuperating at a private hospital in this city. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
