Zamboanga City, Philippines - Gunmen on Thursday seized a fishing boat with 17 crew members in the sea off the southern Philippines, a navy official said. Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag said the fishing boat and its crew
were seized by unidentified gunmen off Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi province, 1,095 kilometres south of Manila.
Marayag said the fishing boat was owned and operated by Manila-based Irma Fishing Co.
"We cannot provide more details about the incident because the owner is not coordinating with us.
Marayag said navy personnel were coordinating with the local government in Taganak Island.
Pirates and al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebels are known to operate in the area.
