Wednesday, November 05, 2008 Pirates still abound in southern waters
THE Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) has confirmed the presence of pirates in the southern tip of the region who are allegedly preying on fishing vessels plying the area.
This was confirmed by Captain Rosauro Gonzales, head of NFEM, in an interview last week.
"We are focused on the Jose Abad Santos area due to the reported presence of pirates," Gonzales said.
The pirates are believed to be heavily armed and on board fast moving water crafts.
Gonzales said they have increased naval patrol in the area.
Sea pirates usually prey on hapless fishermen, forcing the fishermen to jump off and then take off with the fishermen's boats. Others prey on tuna fishers in a like manner.
The navy is not sure where the pirates are coming from although it is not possible that the said pirates are the same as the ones that operate in the Sulu Sea. (CPM)
