Armed men try to board cargo vessel in Zamboanga del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Armed men tried to commandeer a cargo vessel off the waters of Zamboanga del Norte on Tuesday morning, police said.

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, regional police chief for Western Mindanao, said armed men on two motorized pumpboats fired at M/V Doña Anabelle while it was sailing the seas of Santa Maria village in Siocon town.

Beltran said four men tried to board the vessel but later left after seeing an approaching Philippine Navy boat.

Beltran said no one from the crew of M/V Dona Anabelle was hurt.

The boat is now heading to the port of Zamboanga City.

He said the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Coast Guard and elements of the 6th Special Forces Battalion quickly responded to the distress call made by boat officials.

Beltran said they were still investigating what particular group or armed men attempted to board the cargo vessel. JE/rga