The Naval Forces Western Mindanao and the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi have rescued a Philippine-registered ferry boat with 15 passengers and six crew members that drifted into the Malaysia waters after suffering engine malfunction last Feb. 24.
“The civilian passengers and crew of the M/L Rihanna were successfully rescued by joint navy and marine soldiers off the coast of Tagupi Island, Sabah,” said Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, Commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi.
It was unclear where the passenger ferry originated it drifted to Taganak Island, in Tawi-tawi Province.
The vessel’s skipper, Abdulmar Maik, radioed for help and the signal was picked up by the Naval Task The Philippine Navy ship BRP Florencio Iñigo was immediately dispatched to conduct search and rescue operations.
The Navy worked in coordination with the Royal Malaysian Navy to locate the ferry in distress.
Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor said the stricken M/L Rihanna was secured by the Malaysian Navy in Tanjung Labian, Malaysia.
“In order to secure the safety of the passengers and crew as they waited for the Philippine Navy vessel, the Royal Malaysian Navy helped the M/L Rihanna’s passengers and pulled the stricken vessel to the closest anchorage location in Tanjung Labian, Malaysia,” Miraflor said
The Rihanna was subsequently towed by the BRP Florencio Iñigo to the Lamion wharf in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
On Sunday, all of its passengers were given medical attention to ensure that they were in good physical condition.
Miraflor added that the Navy successfully saved the passengers and crew of M/L Rihanna owned by a certain Ramon Kahal.
“The established cooperation with the Maritime Command Center (MCC) Tawau and collaboration between the Bongao Littoral Monitoring System (LMS), MSAC, Navy Forces Western Mindanao, and Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi allowed the search and rescue operations to be carried out successfully,” Miraflor said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Tawi-Tawi and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) accommodated the rescued passengers and crew.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, thanked the navy and marine personnel for their prompt action in saving the passengers and crew.
“This exemplifies our commitment to serve and protect our fellow Filipinos, especially in adversity. Rest assured that we will remain steadfast in providing humanitarian assistance whenever necessary,” Galido said.
