Coast Guard launches search for missing Malaysian tugboat

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said that they have launched a search for a Malaysian tugboat and barge that were believed to have been raided by pirates and have since gone missing.

The PCG said that they have already in their possession the second barge called Wantas VII, which was found abandoned near Tubbataha Reef, but they have yet to locate the tugboat and a second barge Wantas VI.

The maritime agency said it appeared that a tugboat was towing two barges. 

The recovered Wantas VII reportedly carried electrical and construction materials.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente said they have mobilized their units to locate the missing vessels.

“We have already issued a directive to our districts and other field offices to be on the lookout for the tugboat and Wantas VI,” Ricafrente added.

PCG Palawan District commander Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista said there is still no confirmation if the vessels were really victimized by pirates since they have yet to find the crewmen.

There is also a possibility that the incident happened in international waters and not within Philippine territory.

“The vessels’ voyage was not in the Philippines. It just so happened that one of the barges, Wantas VII, drifted near Tubbataha Reef in Palawan. Most probably, the incident took place outside Philippine waters,” said Evangelista.

The PCG hired the private firm Harbor Star Shipping Services to tow Wantas VII from Tubbataha Reef to Cagayan de Oro, where Harbor Star has an office.

But the presence of a low-pressure area forced them to take shelter in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte before proceeding to Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental province.