The Philippines navy has thwarted another hijacking attempt by Abu Sayyaf militants.
Two speedboats containing 10 gunmen had approached the 83,000-dwt bulker Dong Hae Star (built 2012) off Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday as it headed from China to Indonesia, domestic media reported.
A patrolling naval gunboat fought off the attack after the crew issued a distress call.
Seafarers on the bulker said the speedboats quickly fled after sighting navy vessels.
The Korean ship is operated by Dusung Shipping.
Earlier this month, a seafarer was killed in an attack on a Vietnamese bulker in the same area.
The 4,700-dwt Giang Hai (built 2010) was boarded by Philippines gunmen on 19 February, Vietnamese media said.
It was north of Pearl Bank in Tawi-Tawi and heading to Iloilo at the time.
