Troops from 2nd Maguindanao CAA Coy, “E” Coy, 38CBn and 1st Marine Company, 1st Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-1) rescued 12 foreign seafarers left adrift by pirates along coastal waters in Brgy Pura, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao on July 31, 2012.

Personnel of 2nd Maguindanao CAA Coy, “E” Coy, 38CBn led by Cpl Baylon and elements of 1st Marine Company, MBLT-1 noticed floating persons along coastal waters, three miles away from the Marine detachment in Brgy Pura. The troops, together with resident volunteers, utilized motorized pump boats to rescue the victims.

According to Chief Officer Kyaw Pyho Loiun of the rescued survivors, they left the Port of Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia onboard cargo vessels Woodman 38 and Woodman 39 on July 25, 2012 to deliver iron and coal to Sanarin Dea, Indonesia. On July 27, pirates seized their vessels and tied up crew personnel onboard. On July 30, one of the pirates told them to prepare to abandon the ship. The crew only brought with them clothes, documents, life rafts and food.

The victims were identified as Zamroni Umor (59 y/o), Inyuman Buda Artha (37 y/o), Marthen Lukas (26 y/o), Aris Ariyanto (27 y/o), Rate Yusuf (31 y/o), Mulki (30 y/o), Sotomo, (61 y/o, from Indonesia), Tie Sieng Huang (46 y/o), Runji Bin Chew (31 y/o), Razali Din Mok (23 y/o), Fredy Nak Nain (25 y/o) and Kyaw Phyo Luoin (28 y/o, from Myanmar).

On August 01, 2012, Lt. Colonel Norman L. Alcovindas, Executive Officer, 38CBn and Cpt. Jonathan M. Zulueta, Commanding Officer, “E” Coy, 38CBn fetched the survivors from Brgy Pura and brought them to Camp Siongco Station Hospital for medical check-up. Maj. General Rey C. Ardo, Commander, 6ID, personally welcomed the survivors. Also present to welcome the rescued seafarers were members of the Malaysian International Monitoring Team (IMT) and representatives from Maguindanao LGU and other line government agencies.