Military foils armed men's seajacking attempt in Zamboanga del Norte

The military on Wednesday said it has foiled pirates from seajacking a cargo vessel in waters off Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, said armed men on board three motorized boats were about to board MV Anabelle, which has 21 crewmen, off Siocon town when its naval and air forces arrived.

Petinglay said naval ships and two air force choppers were deployed to the area after the ship's crewmen sent a distress call and reported the approaching armed men around 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

She said the pirates immediately retreated upon sensing the arrival of the naval and air force units.

The vessel was escorted and docked safely in Zamboanga City.

The Western Mindanao Command said its naval forces had also foiled a seajacking attempt by suspected Abu Sayyaf members in Tawi-Tawi last February 22.

It was not yet clear if the armed men who attempted to board MV Annabelle were members of the Abu Sayyaf. —ALG, GMA News