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Advocates Philippines
Sea Marshals Lauded In Foiling Bomb Threat
Screengrab from PCG
In a display of bravery, Coast Guard Seaman First Class (SN1) Christian Leden Marquez and SN1 Elmer Dacanay were praised by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, for their ‘swift and courageous response’ to a bomb threat at the Port of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
Responding to a distress call from a sea passenger who reported a potential threat on board, the two Coast Guard sea marshals, along with a Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) duty sea marshal, faced a suspect running amok. The assailant not only assaulted the PMC duty sea marshal but also attempted to seize his service firearm.
CG SN1 Marquez and CG SN1 Dacanay collaborated with the PMC duty sea marshal to apprehend the suspect successfully. During the confrontation, the suspect revealed the presence of two bombs on the RoRo/ferry vessel.
In a quick and precautionary move, the Coast Guard sea marshals advised the vessel's Captain to disembark all passengers.
The Coast Guard K9 Unit-BARMM then conducted a thorough check to ensure the safety of passengers before boarding.
The bomb threat suspect was subsequently handed over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bongao Station for further investigation.
"The successful arrest of the bomb threat suspect who ran amok on board proves how professional, competent, and courageous our Coast Guard sea marshals are in fulfilling their mandated functions," remarked CG Admiral Gavan, highlighting the dedication of the PCG in ensuring maritime security.
Admiral Gavan, during his tenure as Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Commander, advocated for the nationalization of sea marshals on RoRo/ferry vessels, a move that has now demonstrated its importance in safeguarding maritime activities.
Responding to a distress call from a sea passenger who reported a potential threat on board, the two Coast Guard sea marshals, along with a Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) duty sea marshal, faced a suspect running amok. The assailant not only assaulted the PMC duty sea marshal but also attempted to seize his service firearm.
CG SN1 Marquez and CG SN1 Dacanay collaborated with the PMC duty sea marshal to apprehend the suspect successfully. During the confrontation, the suspect revealed the presence of two bombs on the RoRo/ferry vessel.
In a quick and precautionary move, the Coast Guard sea marshals advised the vessel's Captain to disembark all passengers.
The Coast Guard K9 Unit-BARMM then conducted a thorough check to ensure the safety of passengers before boarding.
The bomb threat suspect was subsequently handed over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bongao Station for further investigation.
"The successful arrest of the bomb threat suspect who ran amok on board proves how professional, competent, and courageous our Coast Guard sea marshals are in fulfilling their mandated functions," remarked CG Admiral Gavan, highlighting the dedication of the PCG in ensuring maritime security.
Admiral Gavan, during his tenure as Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Commander, advocated for the nationalization of sea marshals on RoRo/ferry vessels, a move that has now demonstrated its importance in safeguarding maritime activities.
Nov 23, 2023
