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Troops rescue 9 Tubbataha rangers from rain-hit barracks

Philippines | National

Troops rescue 9 Tubbataha rangers from rain-hit barracks

By Martin Sadongdong

Nine rangers of the Tubbataha Reef were rescued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after their station was battered by intense rains and big waves in Cagayancillo, Palawan on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Photo: Western Command, AFP

The rangers, who protect the country’s top coral reef, were fetched by Philippine Navy (PN) ship BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15) from the Tubbataha Ranger Station, according to Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, commander of AFP Western Command (WESCOM).

Rescued were Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel Alfred Leonard Libungan, Gilbert Jhun Cayapas, and Jinnasir Alani; PN personnel Jerico Ramos and Ronnel Paiton; and civilians Segundo Conales Jr., Noel Bundal, Amado Cayabo, and Rogelio Quilojano.

Accordingly, the rangers issued a distress call to WESCOM on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, as the Tubbataha Ranger Station was damaged by the rains and big waves due to the effects of a shearline.

Photo: Western Command, AFP

"Time is of the essence. Strong winds and waves heavily damaged their station that forced them to isolate in one small part of the barracks that remains intact," Carlos said.

Skippered by Commander Clyde Domingo, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar immediately sailed from El Nido, Palawan and braved the challenging conditions out at sea to bring the rangers to safety, said Captain Alan Javier, commander of Naval Forces West (NAVFORWEST), the unit in charge of naval operations in Palawan.

The Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) thanked the WESCOM for their immediate response to aid the distressed rangers of the Tubbataha Reef.

Related Tags

Palawan tubbataha reef Rangers western command 12282022

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