PIA Press Release Thursday, January 26, 2012Navy dispatches vessel to rescue cargo ship reported sinking in CatanduanesLEGAZPI CITY, Jan 25 (PIA) -– Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) of the Philippine Navy dispatched on Saturday BRP Heneral Antonio Luna (PG141) to help in the search and rescue of M/V Sun Spirit, a Chinese registered vessel reported listing and sinking at vicinity 34 nautical miles off Binorong Pt, Catanduanes. The said vessel is owned by PHILHUA shipping and manned by Chinese crew. The Navy immediately responded to the call for humanitarian assistance and availability of air and floating assets upon the request of Coast Guard District Bicol. Coast Guard District Bicol initially received the distress call and request for assistance, subsequently, Southern Luzon Command also dispatched Sunday two Huey helicopters from Tactical Operations Group 5 to assist in search and rescue operations. "Humanitarian and disaster assistance operations which include search, rescue, and relief are among Hukbong Dagat Ng Pilipinas priority missions apart from our primary role of conducting maritime security operations," said Commodore Abraham F Celzo AFP, Commander of Navforsol. (MAL/DFN, Navforsol) |