Piracy continues in South

BASILAN – Despite the extended implementation of martial law in Mindanao, Abu Sayyaf continues to sow terror and fear in the restive region where security are battling the militant group tied to the Islamic State.

Just last week, suspected Abu Sayyaf militants strafed a cargo ship after failing to hijack the vessel off the troubled province of Basilan.

Two crew members were injured in the attack late Friday on MV Kudos 1 which was sailing for Davao City to deliver its cargo. Crewmen also poured boiling water mix with oil when gunmen on board three motorboats tried to get on the side of the ship.

The ship’s captain, Chris Maligmat, also radioed for help, but the gunmen sped off before security forces could arrive. The attack occurred near Sibago Island which is part of Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

It was unknown why the military failed to prevent the attack despite the implementation of an extended martial law in the region. Military officials also did not give any statement on the latest attack.

In January last year, suspected Abu Sayyaf militants also tried, but failed to hijack a Philippine cargo ship while sailing off Basilan. The gunmen, on board two speedboats, attacked the vessel Ocean Kingdom near the same island while heading to Davao City to deliver its cargo.

A Filipino sailor from another vessel tailing the ship said they received a distress call from MV Ocean Kindom, owned by Oceanic Shipping Lines. “Just in (in our VHF radio): Mayday, Mayday, Mayday this is MV Ocean Kingdom, we are under piracy attacks in the vicinity of Sibago Island,” the sailor, Jefry Abales, wrote on his Facebook page.

He said their ship was just 3 miles from MV Ocean Kingdom and also heading to Davao City when they received the frantic call from the vessel. He added the MV Ocean Kingdom managed to sail away from the attackers.

In November 2016, Abu Sayyaf fighters also hijacked a Vietnamese cargo ship and seized 6 crewmen, including its captain in a daring attack that left one sailor wounded. The ship, MV Royal 16, was sailing off the province when 10 gunmen on a speedboat intercepted it off Sibago Island and boarded the vessel and abducted the crewmen. Another Filipino cargo ship, MV Lorcon Iloilo, passing near Basilan rescued the wounded sailor and provided him first aid.

The militants behind all the attacks were believed hiding on Sibago Island or from Hajji Mohammed Ajul town.

Aerial view of Isabele City in Basilan province. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

A U.S. Embassy photo released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner shows Filipino and American officials watching flight operations from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The Carl Vinson is operating in the Indo-pacific region to conduct routine maritime operations, promote freedom of navigation, and work with partners and allies to enhance regional security and stability.