Navy rescues 24 crew, passengers from distressed vessel off Malaysia

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) on Tuesday said its Naval Task Group-Tawi-Tawi has rescued 24 people on board a Filipino vessel that encountered engine trouble off Tagupi Island, Malaysia.

In a statement, the NFWM identified the seven crew and 17 passengers as:

• Abdulmar Maih, 47 years old
• Ramon Kahal, 63 years old
• Michael Duol, 51 years old
• Marco Bakuna, 22 years old
• Jorimar Maih, 24 years old
• Kalid Hassan, 17 years old
• Iyah Kahal, 45 years old
• Apidul Saidul, 53 years old
• Adin Apidul, 14 years old
• Said Paldon, 16 years old
• Ademar Omar, 18 years old
• Ebrahim Daud, 17 years old
• Marjok Masilin, 33 years old
• Fahad Gabir, 17 years old
• Munhamir Sajili, 17 years old
• Muslimin Askalani, 20 years old
• Shernalyn Isa, 30 years old
• Sabre Mujib Atara, 30 years old
• Darwin Moha, 19 years old
• Silma Moha, 30 years old
• Sulanri Moha, 17 years old
• Tran Vintan, 17 years old
• Kadefar Moha, 3 years old
• Yahcob Majidul, 23 years old

The NFWM said on February 24, ML Rihana sent a distress call that it had engine trouble and was left drifting around 4.5 nautical miles northeast off Tagupi Island.

After coordination with the Royal Malaysian Ship (RMN) Todak, the vessel was given towing assistance en route to the anchorage area in Tanjung Labian, Malaysia, the NFWM said.

Early morning on February 26, BRP Florencio Iñigo (PC393) was deployed and rescued the crew and passengers of the distressed vessel.

The vessel was towed from Tanjung Labian in Malaysia to Lamion Wharf, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi in the Philippines, according to NFWM.

The crew and passengers were given medical attention.

They were turned over to JTF-Tawi-Tawi, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Tawi-Tawi for proper disposition, the NFWM said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News