International vessel collides with PHL Navy's BRP Tarlac

A Liberian-registered merchant tanker on Monday night collided with a Philippine Navy vessel in Zamboanga City.

The Philippine Navy said merchant tanker Tasco, with Filipino and Ukranian crew, collided with BRP Tarlac while the naval ship was anchored 1,000 yards south of Ensign Majini Pier at Naval Station Romulo Espaldon at around 7:46 p.m.

Rear Admiral Jorge Amba, commander of Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said no one was hurt among the crew members, but the naval vessel sustained a minor damage in the right forward bulwark and side ramp.

Philippine Coast Guard Zamboanga Station commander, Lt. Junior Grade Jimmy Berbo, said guardsmen have been sent to the area to investigate.

The merchant tanker, meanwhile, was prevented from leaving pending the investigation.

The tanker was headed to Bintulo, Malaysia when the incident happened.

Twenty one Filipinos are part of Tasco’s crew with Dominador Taguas Jr. as its captain.

BRP Tarlac arrived is the first ever strategic sealift vessel of the Philippine Navy. It was recently acquired by the Philippine government as part of a P3.87-billion two-vessel contract entered into with Indonesian shipbuilder PT Pal Persero.

The naval vessel is leading the naval blockade against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Mindanao.

It serves as the command and control ship of the Philippine Navy in its operations against the bandits. —with a report from Cedric Castillo and Joseph Tristan Roxas/DVM/ALG/RSJ, GMA News