Pirates Kill One, Abduct Six Off Philippines

Thinkstock image Pirates killed one and abducted six sailors of a Vietnam-flagged ship in an attack off the southern Philippines on February 19, according to a report issued by ReCAAP ISC.  The 4,739 dwt MV Giang Hai was boarded by gunmen northwest of Doc Can Island, while the vessel was underway from Indonesia to Iloilo Port, the Philippines. The pirates destroyed navigation and communication equipment before escaping. 17 crewmembers of the 25-men bulk carrier were rescued by the countrys authorities, according to media reports. The Philippine authorities conducted an investigation into the incident and the ship is now at Taganak anchorage area, Tawi-Tawi. This is the second incident involving abduction of crew in 2017, ReCAAP said. With piracy incidents being frequent in the Sulu-Celebes Sea region, ships have been urged to re-route from the area.