Pirates kill 5 fishermen; teener survives attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – A teenage boy survived a bloody attack while his five fishing companions were massacred by heavily armed pirates at the high seas east of this city, according to police yesterday.

Police said the victims, including minor Jeffrey Mendoza, were on a fishing venture on board MB Queensa off the seas of Eleven Islands and Barangay Muti, east coast of this city, when they were attacked by four heavily armed men about 6 p.m. Friday.

Reports reaching the Zamboanga City Police Office identified the victims as Reymundo Makabenta alias Maestro and his four helpers Joselito Mendoza, Lyngel Abni, a certain Parino and Danny. All the victims were shot and hacked to death.

Police investigation showed that the suspects, on board a pumpboat, reportedly maneuvered toward the fishermen’s position and ship-sided on the fishing boat.

The young Mendoza, however, managed to hide in a compartment of their vessel before they were intercepted by the gunmen.

Three of the gunmen suddenly boarded the victims’ watercraft and ordered them to jump overboard before returning to their pumpboat and fired at the helpless victims who were then swimming for their lives.

According to the accounts of the survivor, the suspects, not contended in shooting the victims, moved closer and hacked all his companions.

The police said the minor, who was able to hide inside the fishing boat managed to drive the watercraft to Sangali port after the pirates fled toward unknown directions.

The fishermen in the east coast of this city have been complaining about the unabated attacks by pirates operating in the Sibugay area victimizing marginal fisherfolks by taking the engines and sometimes their motorboat.