Fishing boat captain killed, crewman missing in shooting incident off Palawan waters

MANILA — Maritime authorities are now conducting pursuit operations against the still unidentified group who fired at a fishing boat, killing its captain and causing one of its crewman to jump overboard and went missing some 80 nautical miles southwest off Mangsee Island, Palawan Saturday night.

The area is also eight nautical miles northeast of Cagayan De Tawi-Tawi, belated reports from Coast Guard Palawan Detachment head Commodore Enrico Evangelista said.

He added that the incident took place around 10 p.m.

Evangelista said the F/B Glenn Mar-B was heading for the rich fishing grounds of Mapun, Tawi-Tawi when intercepted by the unidentified group who was aboard an unnamed motor bance.

Surviving crewmen said the suspects immediately fired on them, killing their boat captain, Arante Tacder.

The missing crewman, identified as Braming Pañas, jumped overboard, to escape the suspects’ fire.

Evangelista added that the fishing boat was just an hour away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan when attacked.

Evangelista said the F/B Glenn Mar-B has now safely arrived off Puerto Princesa with its surviving crewmen identified as:

-Rodrigo Lu-ang

-Renald Castillon

-Roger Libratal

-Enrique Quinicun

-Serio Baco

-Michael Calit

-Melber Lapinig

-Acasan Tacder