COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Three fishermen were killed while one survived and another was reported missing in an attack by unidentified men in the waters off Tapul town in Sulu on Saturday.
The fatalities were identified as Esmael Mohammad, Gerald Mohammad and Oscar Arpa of Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat. Their companion, Muktar Mohammad, survived after he hid behind a pile of fish containers and nets. A search and rescue operation was launched for the missing fisherman, John Mohammad.
The Maritime Police recovered the victims’ remains near the coast of Barangay Sulari in the nearby town of Parang.
The fishermen were sailing near Barangay Kabignaan in Tapul when the assailants on board a Malaysian-style boat or junkong opened fire at them.