Navy's warship rescues 6 passengers in Sorsogon

By Danica D. Caballero

LEGAZPI CITY---The Philippine Navy’s newest warship BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG 902) rescued six people from a motorboat that lost sight of the port of destination amid bad weather off Malawmawan Island in Sorsogon province last Sunday, January 29.

Navy Lt. Regeil Gatarin, spokesperson of Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) based in this city, said PG 902 was dispatched on a search and rescue mission after the naval station received a call at 5:30 p.m. from Barangay Captain Alex Sotto of Poblacion, Castilla, who reported that the fishing boat F/B Iñigo was in distress in the vicinity of that town.

“The motorboat was transporting a cadaver from Masbate to Port of Pilar, Sorsogon when it encountered unfavorable sea conditions, forcing the motorboat to change its destination to Port of Castilla,” Gatarin said.

The BRP LOLINATO TO ONG (PG902) is the second brand new ship of the class of the Acero-class Fast Attack Interdiction Crafts-Missile patrol vessel of the Philippine Navy procured from Israel. It was commissioned on November 28, 2022 and was placed under the operational control of Naval Forces Southern Luzon. (Photo courtesy of Navforsol)

He added that the boat skipper decided to send an emergency distress signal after having difficulty navigating due to low visibility and unfamiliarity of the new destination.

At 6:45 p.m., PG 902 found the motorboat assisted it to reach Castilla Port.

“The BRP Lolinato To-Ong is the second brand new ship of the class of the Acero-class Fast Attack Interdiction Crafts-Missile patrol vessel of the Philippine Navy procured from Israel and was commissioned last November 28 and was placed under the operational control of Naval Forces Southern Luzon,” Gatarin said.

The official assured the citizenry that the Navforsol is always ready when called upon to respond in any emergency situation. (PIA5)