Boat passenger killed in high seas off Siasi, Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY— A passenger was shot and killed inside a commercial boat on Friday afternoon at the high seas off Lugus, Siasi Sulu.

Lieutenant Commander Noriel Ramos, chief of the Philippine Coast Guard – Zamboanga City Station, said the passenger, identified as Juldi J. Mahbud, went amok inside the commercial vessel, stabbing one of the two sea marshals; hence, forcing them to neutralize him.

“This Mahbud went berserk on board an inter-island vessel, M/V Ever Queen, and stabbed sea marshal SN2 Michael Ladja. The marshal suffered multiple stab wounds, so the other marshals have to pin down Mahbud,” Ramos said.

There was no explanation provided why Mahbud got mad against the sea marshals.

The initial report disclosed that Ladja, along with two other boat escorts, was assisting boat collectors for ticket inspection. However, without any provocation, Mahbud reportedly stood up from his cot bed, approached Ladja and started stabbing him.

With Ladja’s condition and a passenger’s remains on board, the vessel returned to Siasi to bring Ladja to the nearest hospital for medical treatment before continuing its voyage to Jolo.

The Philippine Coast Guard coordinated with the Siasi Police for the remains of Mahbud and to locate his family. The case is also up for further investigation. /ee