Manila: Maritime police personnel in Tawi-Tawi responded to a medical emergency involving a family at sea during inclement weather, as reported by an official on Tuesday. Lt. Col. Jeseryl Dela Cruz, chief of the 1st Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group (SOU-MG), stated that his team, while on seaborne patrol, noticed a motorboat signaling for help around 10:15 p.m. off the coast of Barangay Buan in Panglima Sugala town.

According to Philippines News Agency, the team swiftly approached the motorboat, which carried two children seeking urgent medical attention for their father, Guan Ing Karain. Karain was suffering from severe pain due to a sting from a poisonous fish known locally as luppoh, which resulted in swelling and intense pain in his left leg.

Dela Cruz reported that, without hesitation, the team transferred Karain and his children to their gunboat and promptly transported them to Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi. Upon arrival at the 1st SOU headquarters in Bongao, Karain was taken to Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

In addition to their law enforcement duties, Dela Cruz emphasized that their unit is also committed to providing humanitarian aid to citizens in need.