Malaysian officials have rescued a Vietnamese cargo vessel and its crew on board from possibly being robbed or kidnapped by armed gunmen.

On Sunday, the MV PHU AN 268 sent emergency radio signals to Malaysia’s Eastern Sabah Security Command – also known as Esscom – while it was passing through Philippine waters.

In a statement on Tuesday, Esscom’s security commander said the Vietnamese ship changed course and headed towards Malaysia after its captain reported seeing a boat with at least six people on board trailing his vessel.

Acting on information, Esscom sent a Viper patrol boat and a high-speed boat to the Malaysia’s maritime border where they found the ship and safely escorted it to the town of Sandakan, in Sabah State.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam Maritime Administration has ordered port authorities across the country to warn ship owners and maritime transport companies of the increasing pirate attacks in Southeast Asian waters, particularly around East Sabah and the Southern Philippines.

– with other agencies