8 fishermen killed in pirate attack

8 fishermen killed in pirate attack

PHILIPPINES: Eight fishermen were killed in an attack by pirates off a southern Philippine island, an army official said on Sunday.

The fishermen were aboard three motorboats off Basilan island province, 900 kilometers south of Manila, on Saturday when gunmen opened fire at them, said army Col. Bonifacio Ramos.

Two fishermen survived the attack by playing dead as the pirates stripped their boats of the powerful motors, Ramos said.

The survivors - 52-year-old Jingking Sali and 11-year-old Bangah Tanih - later swam for hours until they reached the coastal town of Lantawan in Basilan and sought help.

"Many of my companions were hit in the body with bullets and they fell to the sea," Sali told army officials. --DPA