1 Vietnamese sailor killed, 7 others abducted in Tawi-Tawi – Coast Guard

© Jannielyn Ann Bigtas Graphic by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas

One Vietnamese sailor was killed while seven others were abducted by suspected pirates on Sunday evening off the shores of Taganak, Tawi-Tawi, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said the Vietnamese vessel, MV Giang Hai, was sailing 17 nautical miles north of Pearl Bank when it encountered a piracy attack at 7:10 p.m.

Balilo added the team also rescued 17 out of the 25 Vietnamese crew when it found the vessel off the waters of Baguan Island.

"The team conducted joint maritime patrol in the vicinity waters off Baguan Island and subsequently rescued 17 Vietnamese on board, with one dead," he said.

"Accordingly, the seven other crew members were abducted by unidentified armed men and were brought to undetermined location," he added.

Balilo said the PCG immediately directed its station in Taganak to conduct security and rescue operations following the incident report from their counterparts in Vietnam.

The PCG dispatched two speedboats manned by PCG personnel and Philippine Marines, according to Balilo.

Balilo noted the PCG is coordinating with the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police in the area for pursuit operations against the pirates.

He said the PCG also issued a Notice to Mariners.

Meanwhile, Balilo said MV Giang Hai arrived at the Taganak anchorage area around 11 a.m. of Monday after being towed by PCG-organized fishing vessels.

The PCG is still conducting preliminary investigations on the abduction incident. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News