Crew members aboard a Manila-bound general cargo ship threw boiling water and hot oil on armed pirates, causing the assailants to flee, according to authorities.

The 1,592-dwt Kudos 1 (built 1995) was navigating Basilan waters from southern Phillippine island's Davao City when armed men on three motorized outrigger boats intercepted the vessel.

The attack occurred late Friday night in the area of Coco and Sibago islands.