TOWED. Personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) rendered medical assistance to the passengers of the ML Rihana that drifted to Malaysia after its engine malfunctioned while sailing to Turtle Islands municipality, from Bongao town, Tawi-Tawi province, on Feb. 24, 2023. The BRP-Florencio Iñigo of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi towed the vessel from the anchorage area of Tanjung Labian, Malaysia, to the Lamion wharf in Bongao on Sunday morning (Feb. 26). (Photo courtesy of the NFWM)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) has assisted in towing a Philippine-registered vessel with 24 people aboard that drifted to Malaysia, a top Navy official said on Tuesday.
Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said wooden-hulled vessel ML Rihana was towed back to Philippine territory around 1:50 a.m. on Sunday coming from the anchorage area in Tanjung Labian, Malaysia.
The vessel had seven crew members and 17 passengers.
Miraflor said the Maritime Situational Awareness Center-Western Mindanao of the Bongao Littoral Monitoring Station immediately coordinated with the Royal Malaysian Navy after receiving a distress call from the vessel.
The ML Rihana encountered engine trouble and was left drifting some 4.5 nautical miles northeast of Tagupi Island, Malaysia, on Feb. 24.
After coordinating with Malaysian authorities, the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi sent the BRP-Florencio Iñigo and towed ML Rihana to Lamion wharf in Bongao town, the capital of Tawi-Tawi province.
Miraflor said ML Rihana's crew and passengers were given medical attention and turned over to the Tawi-Tawi Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for proper disposition. (PNA)
