RESCUED AT SEA. Personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) rescued 28 people from a wooden-hulled vessel in distress in the waters of Favorite Bank, Basilan province Monday evening (Feb. 6, 2023). The vessel was sailing to the town of Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi coming from Zamboanga City when its engine malfunctioned. (Photo courtesy of NFWM) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Personnel of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) rescued 28 people from a wooden-hulled vessel in distress off Basilan province, a top military official said Tuesday. Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, NFWM commander, said the 28 people, comprising 11 crewmen and 17 passengers, were rescued Monday evening in the waters of Favorite Bank, Basilan province. Miraflor said the wooden-hulled vessel, M/L Sulna, was sailing to the town of Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, coming from Zamboanga City when its engine malfunctioned. He said they immediately deployed the Boat Attack 487 (BA487) upon receiving a distress call from the v
RED ONIONS. Authorities seize 44 tons of red onions and 300 drums of fuel (not in photo) Monday afternoon (Jan. 23, 2023) at a private-owned dry dock in Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City. Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, bares Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2023) the onions were seized aboard a van and two wooden-hulled vessels moored at the dry dock. (Photo courtesy of NFWM) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Authorities have seized some 44,000 kilos of smuggled red onions and 300 drums of fuel sneaked into this southern port city, a top military official said Tuesday. Rear Adm. Donn Anthony Miraflor, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) commander, said the onions and fuel were seized Monday afternoon at a private-owned dry dock in Barangay Cawit. Miraflor said 3,000 bags of smuggled onions were seized in a van while another 8,000 bags were found aboard a wooden-hulled ferry, MJ Marisa, moored at the dry dock. "Each bag weighs four kilos, which sums up to approximat