PH Navy’s largest vessel collides with tanker off Zamboanga

A Philippine Navy ship collided with a Liberian tanker in Zamboanga City on Monday night, the military said.

The BRP Tarlac, the Philippine Navy’s largest vessel, collided with merchant tanker Tosca  past 7 p.m.  while it was anchored 1,000 yards south of Ensign Majini Pier at Naval Station Romula Espaldon, Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

The Navy vessel had a minor damage in her right forward bulwark and side ramp but no crew members were hurt.

“Investigation by the Philippine Coast Guard Station is ongoing to determine the circumstances of the collision,” Arevalo said.

MT Tosca, which has 21 Filipinos and a Ukranian crew onboard, was bound for Bintulo, Malaysia.

The BRP Tarlac, the country’s first strategic sealift vessel, is serving as the naval blockade against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu. CDG/rga