Displaying
its commitment to serve and protect the public at all times even in the most
inclement weather, three Philippine Navy (PN) patrol vessels played a key role
in rescuing and recovering the victims of the ill-fated M/V Maharlika-2 which
foundered off the waters of Southern Leyte Saturday night.
Lt.
Cmdr. Marineth Domingo, PN public affairs office chief, said that these ships
are the BRP Alberto Navarette (PG-394); BRP Rafael Pargas (PG-379) and DF-350.
Two
of the ships, BRP Alberto Navarette and BRP Rafael Pargas, immediately left
their Lapu-Lapu City base upon receiving word that M/V Maharlika-2 was
experiencing "steering casualty" while enroute to Liloan Port,
Southern Leyte around 7: 30 p.m.
The
DF-350, meanwhile, left its pier in Agusan Del Norte to help the two other Navy
ships in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.
These
ships made this run despite the inclement weather.
The
M/V Maharlika-2 was abandoned around 9:20 p.m. six nautical miles of northwest
of Binit Point, Panaoan Island , Southern Leyte .
"About
3 a.m., PG-379 and DF-350 arrived at the area and coordinated with the
Philippine Coast Guard thereat. At around 6 a.m. PG-379 and DF-350 started
transfer of survivors from M/V Epic St. Martin and M/V Lara Ventures, the
nearby civilian ships who first responded to the distress call," Domingo
added.
Civilian
and Navy ships have rescued and transported a total of 110 survivors along with
three cadavers which were recovered.
"Initial
interview made by the crew of PG-379 to one of the survivors revealed that at
around 6 p.m. Saturday, M/V Maharlika-2 started to sink when the lashing of
vehicles and other cargoes aboard parted causing her to list to her starboard
side until it capsized," Domingo related.
She
added that Navy ships will aid the Coast Guard in ongoing search efforts for
the three passengers still missing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=684069
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