3 slain, 2 missing in Sulu pirate attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Three fishermen were killed while two others were missing when pirates allegedly attacked a fishing vessel in the waters off Sulu Friday afternoon, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday.

The fishermen reportedly jumped off the vessel when the gunmen, who arrived in a speedboat strafed their vessel at about 4 p.m. near the Tapayan Island in Siasi town, according to Lt. Junior Grade Jomark Angue, PCG district spokesman.

Angue identified the fatalities as Van Gala, 51, skipper; Joel Salig, 38, and Walter Cutad, assistant mechanic, 31, and the missing crewmembers as Jhon Descalzo, chief mechanic and a certain Bucoy, chief cook, all of the AMR fishing company based in this city.

Crewmembers of other fishing boats who saw the incident said the gunmen fired at the victims even as they had jumped into the water.