Statement of Naval Public Affairs Office re-sinking incident of MV Baleno 9

LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Sunday, 27 December 2009

In regard to the reported capsizing of MV Baleno 9, a RORO Type vessel plying Calapan Oriental Mindoro-Batangas City route, Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez AFP orders the forthwith dispatch of Disaster Response and Rescue Teams of the Fleet-Marine Ready Force to conduct search and rescue. BRP Iloilo (PS32) with medical team departed Cavite at 04:13 A.M. for Verde Island where the incident happened. Navy Islander with tail number PNI 312 takes off for aerial search 7 A.M. Another aircraft, PNH 412 on-call. Meanwhile, a smaller and more agile Navy vessel PG 394 directed to depart Subic as soon as possible to proceed vicinity Verde Island. “In the face of all these untoward incidents anew and amidst our limitations, our countrymen can depend on your Navy for succor,” says Vice Admiral Golez. (End)