Pirates strike near Tubbataha

MANILA, Philippines - An abandoned Malaysian barge loaded with electrical and construction materials and believed to have been raided by pirates was found drifting near the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.

PCG Palawan deputy commander Capt. Perfecto Eden said Wantas VII was found adrift while Wantas VI, the tugboat towing the barge, remains missing.

“The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency told us that the last communication they had with the tugboat master was last April 16,” Eden said.

Eden said pirates might have attacked the two vessels. He said the shipping containers in the barge showed signs of having been forcibly opened.

In a report to PCG-Palawan district commander Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Eden said M/Y Palau Sport spotted the barge drifting at 3.5 nautical miles southeast of South Islet in Tubbataha, Cagayancillo, Palawan last Thursday.

Upon verification, members of the PCG, accompanied by the Navy and civilian park rangers assigned at the Tubbataha Reef, saw the barge, measuring between 30 to 50 meters. They tried communicating with the vessel but there was no response.

When they boarded the vessel, they found eight shipping containers containing electrical and construction supply materials.

Eden said PCGÅfs search and rescue vessel BRP Romblon was deployed to the area to secure Wantas VII. He said they have also coordinated with Harbor Star Shipping Services to send its tugboat M/T Mizar to tow Wantas VII to shore.

?t was initially arranged that Harbor Star would bring Wantas VII to Puerto Princesa but if there is no berthing space, then it might be towed to Cagayan de Oro where Harbor Star has an office,” he said.