Suspected pirates kidnap 3 crewmen in Zamboanga del NorteFirst Posted 20:19:00 11/22/2009MANILA, Philippines—Riding on the three pump boats, nine unidentified armed men kidnapped on Saturday night three sailors aboard a barge that was seeking shelter from a storm in Siocon Bay off Zamboanga del Norte, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday.
PCG Commandant Wilfredo Tamayo said he ordered his men to help in the search and rescue of Salvmar-II skipper Felipe Miranda, chief mate Cecelio Layasan and chief engineer Radsie Magtanong.
The Coast Guard “is closely monitoring this report,” Tamayo said.
“We’ve also issued a Notice to Mariners for commercial vessels transiting the vicinity of Siocon Bay to take precautionary measures, and to promptly report to authorities any suspicious movement of vessels,” he said.
Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said the kidnapping happened at around 9 p.m. on Nov. 21.
The barge was on its way to Iligan City and was being towed by a tugboat from General Santos City when it encountered rough seas, he said.
“They took shelter at the vicinity of Siocon Bay … and it was there that the incident happened,” Balilo said.
The heavily armed men boarded the barge and tugboat and took the three victims and their global positioning system, radio equipment, cell phones and provisions before escaping.
A certain Arnulfo Braulio, supervisor of Cebu Barge and Tug Corp., which owns the two vessels, reported the kidnapping at around 10:45 p.m., the PCG said.
The PCG District Western Mindanao based in Zamboanga has alerted its units and asked naval forces in western Mindanao and the Western Mindanao Command for help, Balilo said.
Three Navy vessels were immediately sent to the area, he said.
“We have not yet received any further report … because the kidnappers have yet to contact the owners of the barge,” Balilo said.
“According to one of the hostage takers, they will bring the hostages to Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, and will contact the owner of the said boat,” said Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, Wesmincom chief, quoting one of the remaining crew members.
With a report from Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao 
Inquirer.net
