After adrift for 2 weeks, 5 fishermen from boat sunk in collision with unidentified ship back in PH

Five Filipino fishermen who drifted for two weeks in the open sea after their boat was sunk by an unidentified ship off the coast of Mindoro have been returned safely to their families. 

However, three members of their crew remain missing.

According to a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston, the five fishermen from Naic, Cavite, were rescued February 14 by the Vietnamese fishing vessel Dong An in the vicinity of the Spratly Islands.

The fishermen recounted to the Philippine Coast Guard that their wooden boat was destroyed after it was struck by an unidentified ship while they were fishing near Lubang Island in Mindoro. 

The impact threw three of their companions overboard and were never seen again.

In order to survive, the fishermen clung to the wreckage and sustained themselves by eating raw fish and seaweed for 14 days before they were rescued.

Authorities are investigating the incident and are searching for the missing fishermen.

“May na-receive tayong information coming sa agent ng MW Dong An, na may na-rescue sila na limang Filipino fishermen in areas of Spratly Islands kahapon po, 6:30 a.m., sinundo sila ng barko ng Philippine Coast Guard ng BRP Boracay,” said PCG Deputy Spokesperson and Commander Michael John Encina.  

(We received information from the agent of MW Dong An that they rescued five Filipino fishermen in the Spratly Islands at around 6:30 a.m. yesterday. They were picked up by the PCG patrol ship BRP Boracay.)

The fishermen have since returned to their respective homes after being debriefed at PCG headquarters in Sangley Point, Cavite. Authorities are in the process of identifying the vessel responsible for the collision.

“Meron tayong coordination sa VTMS o vessel traffic management system natin which is located in Corregidor Island. Aalamin kung anong oras, anong araw, anu-anong mga vessel ang dumaraan during the said incident. Initial assessment po is ito pong barkong dumaraan ay naka-autopilot at hindi nila nakita 'yung fishing banca,” Encina added. 

(We are coordinating with the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in Corregidor Island to determine the time, date, and the ships that passed through the area during the incident. Our initial assessment suggests that the vessel was on autopilot and did not detect the fishing boat.)

The National Maritime Council, meanwhile, urged fishermen to exercise extra caution and comply with maritime regulations to ensure their safety.

“We actually encounter such activities at sea, bigla na lang kami nabubulaga kasi as per report, hindi sila nag-iilaw. Kahit na maliit na bangka ka, you have to abide by maritime rules, especially sa gabi, 'yung ilaw ang kailangan,” said National Maritime Council spokesperson undersecretary Alexander Lopez. 

(We encounter such activities at sea—suddenly, we are caught off guard because, as per reports, they do not use lights. Even with a small boat, you must abide by maritime rules, especially at night, when lights are essential.) 

This is not the first time large vessels collided with Filipino fishing boats within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Officials said upholding the safety of all fishermen remains a top priority beyond asserting the nation's rights. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News