Coast Guard tightens security in ships

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard has tightened its security in passenger ships after a sea marshal was wounded in a recent attack in Sulu sea.

It said a passenger attacked the sea marshal with a knife during a security inspection on board MV Ever Queen of Asia. The attacker, Juldi Mahbud, was shot dead by responding sea marshals deployed to guard the ship. The attack occurred 5 while the vessel was sailing to Zamboanga City from the island town of Siasi in Sulu province.

The Coast Guard said SN2 Michael Ladja suffered multiple wounds and had to be evacuated to Zamboanga City by a navy vessel. The motive of the attack or what triggered the man to stab Ladja was unknown, but the Coast Guard said it was investigating the background of the attacker.

“At present, SN2 Ladja is still recovering at Brent Hospital in Zamboanga City,” the Coast said.

It was unclear how Mahbud was able to sneak the weapon in the ship undetected by security forces at the pier. But security in piers in Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Basilan and Zamboanga City is poor with passengers able to smuggle weapons and contraband without being detected by authorities.

Coast Guard photo shows the wounded sea marshal SN2 Michael Ladja being attended by other marshals. (Mindanao Examiner)