Hijacked Indonesian Vessel Found in Philippines
The hijacked Indonesian cargo ship Rehoboth has been found abandoned in waters off Mati town in Davao Oriental province off the southern Philippines coast, says the the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo said the PCG- Southeastern Mindanao district was informed that the M/T Rehoboth was found aground off Barangay Cabuaya. Four personnel from the local PCG district office were sent to verify the report.
Balilo said the PCG personnel returned to the ship to gather more information and monitor any oil spill in the area.
The vessel was seized on Jan. 28 near Paraitan Lembeh Island, North Sulawesi, by Filipino-speaking pirates. The ship's captain, Ridwaan Balati, told investigators the pirates were armed with guns and bladed weapons.
Two Indonesian crewmembers were reportedly thrown overboard before being rescued by fishermen. The remaining 13 crew were set loose in a life raft and rescued three days after the raid. The coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo as saying the service was informed on Feb. 23 the ship had been found. The 13 crewmembers were rescued on Jan. 31 by the Indonesian maritime police off Bitung City.
According to the Center for International Maritime Security, the South China Sea region is the most piracy-prone region in the world, with up to 150 attacks a year. Around 30 percent of global maritime trade passes through the region and island chains provide secure hiding places for pirates.