9 rescued as vessel sinks off Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Patrolling military boat rescued nine crewmen of a cargo vessel that sank off Parang town, Sulu province, the military reported Thursday.

The ill-fated cargo craft M/L Jainulin, carrying 70,000 liters of diesel and automotive parts reportedly left Jolo for Tawi-Tawi when it sank off the water of Parang town on Tuesday amid the rough seas.

The cargo and automotive parts reportedly belong to the Tawi-Tawi Nickel Corp.

Patrolling boat of the 2nd Marine Brigade conducted a blocking operation south of Parang when they saw the sinking cargo vessel.

The military escorted the rescued crewmen, who arrived in this city Wednesday. No one was reported hurt from among the rescued victims.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) launched search and rescue operation to locate another motor launch that drifted off Taganak, Tawi-Tawi Thursday morning.

The Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS) reported that the commander of the PN patrol gunboat (PG-381) received a distress call about 9 a.m. Thursday from a passing motor launch, M/L Rihanna 2, which drifted on the high sea with some passengers.

The motor launch, bound for Taganak, reportedly came from this city when it developed engine trouble off Pangutaran, Sulu.

The military said the missing motor launch was spotted drifting near Taganak. The PN have yet to account the number of actual passengers and crew on board.

 The Navy patrol escorted the vessel which arrived in Warid Pier in Jolo town past 3 p.m. Thursday.