Survivors recount retrieving 3 dead fishers: We vowed to sail home together

The survivors of a tragic maritime incident that claimed the lives of three Filipino fishermen recounted on Wednesday the harrowing moment when a foreign commercial vessel rammed their fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Darwin Mejia, one of the surviving crew of F/B Dearyn, said that despite sustaining injuries, the remaining members helped recover the bodies of their drowned colleagues from the waters.

“Nagdesisyon kami na iuwi ang bangkay. Iuwi natin yan sama-sama tayo. Buhay natin ito...sama-sama na tayong umuwi. Patay o buhay makita lang ang pamilya,” said Mejia in a report of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon’s Claire Lacanilao on “24 Oras."

(We decided to bring them home. We said we’ll do it together. We will return home together dead or alive.)

“Nung malapit na kami dito sabi namin 'kuya, andito na tayo kuya'. Makikita ka na ng anak mo para kahit paano makita ka, mailibing nang maayos,” he said.

(When we were nearing the shore we told them they are home now. Their families can see them.)

A total of 14 crew members were aboard F/B Dearyn when the incident occurred approximately 85 nautical miles northwest off Bajo de Masinloc or 180 nautical miles from Agno, Pangasinan.

The fatalities were identified as Dexter Laudencia, 46, the boat captain and owner; Romeo Mejico, 39, and Benedicto Ulandria, 62.

“Masakit talaga sa amin kasi biglaan. Ang dami naming plano. Nabigla talaga kami. Nananawagan kami na aksyunan. Managot kung sino ‘yung dapat mapanagot,” Ailyn Samarita, partner of Laudencia, said.

(It hurts because it was sudden. We had a lot of plans. We call for action and for those behind this to be held accountable.)

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), F/B Dearyn was moored when it was rammed by the foreign vessel registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands on the dawn of Monday, October 2.

The boat submerged, resulting in the death the three fisherman who were residents of Zambales.

In an assessment report, the PCG said the vessel that collided with a local fishing boat was an oil tanker.

The remaining crew of F/B Dearyn appealed for help for their affected livelihood.

“San matulungan kami. Marekober yung bangka na sinasakyan namin, ‘yun ‘yung kabuhayan namin,” said Reymark Bautista.

(We are appealing for help, especially in recovering our boat. That’s our livelihood.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News