Troops from the 2nd Marine Brigade under Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, led by Cpt Cabaring PN (M), rescued passengers of a capsized boat off the waters of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Monday evening, May 9.
The group is tasked to fetch personnel and escort the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) at Lato-Lato Elementary School.
While traversing the waters through bad weather conditions, the Philippine Marines crew of Small Unit Riverine Craft 02 (SURC 02) noticed some flashing and distress light signals along the vicinity of Barangay Lato-Lato. Without hesitation, the unit immediately approached and verified the unusual signals and discovered a capsized motorized boat. The soldiers then rescued the seven passengers clinging to it.
The rescued passengers were: Nurkaiza Maduid, 42; Nadania Aripin, 31; Sherie Abdulasan, 52; Arzaida Monteron, 33; Apra Tuanpanis, 12; Omar Tuanparis, 29; and Sadeeq Taunparis, 30.
All victims who are residents of Barangay Lamion in the same municipality were immediately brought to Headquarters of the 82nd Marine Corps in Lamion Wharf.
Thereafter, FSMT personnel from 2MBde conducted a medical check-up on the survivors and found them well despite the incident.
The survivors were properly turned over to Barangay Lamion Kagawad Midzfar Haradji.
2nd Marine Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio lauded the efforts of his troops.
“The Armed Forces is always ready and committed to keeping the Filipinos safe through whatever weather and situation,” Brig. Gen. Racadio said.
