THREE fishermen were killed in a fire in the Sulu Sea on Aug. 24. (Contributed photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The bodies of three fishermen who were reportedly killed during a fire at sea were retrieved by Maritime police and Coast Guard personnel off the coast of Parang municipality in Sulu province last Aug. 24 during search and rescue operations.
The fatalities were identified as Esmail Mohammad, Gerald Mohammad, and Oscar Arpa, residents of Sitio San Roque, Barangay Milibuk, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat who regularly travelled to the Sulu Sea to fish.
Another fisherman, John Mohammad, is still missing, while a 17-year-old boy, Muktar Acosta Mohammad, was reportedly rescued after the fishing boat used by the victims caught fire.
Lovely Raida Ali Wadja, a relative of the victims, attributed the fire to a reported sea attack when unidentified armed men aboard another jungkung boat fired at the victims. The fishing boat burst into flames.
Maritime police and Coast Guard personnel found Muktar hiding in the fish hold covered by a fishing net on Aug. 24.
Wadja thanked authorities for rescuing Muktar amid continuous search operations for the missing fisherman. She also called on Sulu police to conduct an investigation on the reported attack.
Sulu Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan has called on coastal security agencies to intensify patrols and remain responsive to any security threats.