Gador: Stolen Indon ships found in Cebu

Regional police office director Eduardo Gador yesterday said that the two ships that were stolen by Indonesian seajackers were located in the southern part of Cebu.

Gador said that TB Martha Dini and TK Sentana V were found in the province but did not confirm in what particular place, although there were reports that the ships were discovered in Sangat, San Fernando town.

Gador said he only received general information on the location of the stolen ships, whose names were reportedly changed and which have been repainted.

The ships reportedly left the Indonesia port of Sumatra last April 13 for Kalimantan when being reportedly hijacked by their alleged captains, Oscar Dalegi and Bernard Labene, and other companions. Both captains are presently detained at the Cebu City Police Office stockade following their arrest for bringing the body of their companion Johanon Taruc, who was later identified as Francisco Vidal, from the hotel in barangay Guadalupe where they stayed.

Gador earlier said that the suspects were sea pirates who are not on the police watchlist of terrorists, adding that the group would hijack Indonesia ships and sail them around Southeast Asia. The two ships were first spotted somewhere in Negros areas last May 2.

The regional police director said they would further investigate the death of Taruc after receiving information that his murder stemmed from conflicts regarding their transaction. Although the autopsy revealed that Taruc died from heart attack, Gador said: "We are re still checking if namatay ba gyud to siya in natural causes pero dunay report nga gipatay gyud that's why were still conducting investigation."

He said that they are now checking whether a case could be filed against the suspects. - Norvie S. Misa