PH reached out to China over Occidental Mindoro maritime incident — PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it has already informed China that a Chinese-flagged bulk carrier vessel allegedly hit a Filipino boat in the waters near Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said their agency’s maritime safety officer has written a letter to China about the accident.

“Kahapon, pinagbigay alam na natin sa flag state niya at sinulatan na po ng ating maritime safety officer iyong flag state ng China sapagkat obligasyon po nila na kapag may report na ganito ay kanila pong tingnan iyong insidente,” Balilo said.

(Yesterday, we informed the concerned flag state and our maritime safety office wrote a letter to the flag state of China because it has an obligation to investigate these kinds of reports.)

“Kung meron pong sapat na ebidensya at may kasamaan iyong pong nangyari ay dapat po ay panagutin iyong kanilang mga tauhan,” he added.

(If there is enough evidence and severity in the incident, China should hold the crew accountable.)

Based on protocols, Balilo said the Philippines has to inform China about the incident and the latter will be the one to conduct an investigation.

The PCG said the allision between Filipino boat FBCA Ruel J and Chinese-flagged vessel MV TAI HANG 8 happened at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Five Filipino fishermen identified as Junrey Sardan, Ryan Jay Daus, Bryan Pangatungam, Cristian Arizala, and Joshua Barbas were rescued.

“Per accounts from the survivors, the boat was lying in Paluan waters attached to a ‘payao’ (a type of fish aggregating device used in the Philippines),” the PCG said.

“The ill-fated fishing banca Ruel J and its crew, alleged reportedly hit by MV TAI HANG 8, and was said to be left adrift as the foreign vessel continued its voyage unknowingly,” it added.

Appeal for help

Earlier, the owner of the distressed boat appealed for help from the management of the foreign ship, saying the tragic incident negatively impacted their livelihood.

“Hiling ko lang po sana na panagutan naman nila 'yung iniwan nilang danyos sa amin. Kasi doon sa bangka na 'yun, marami pong pamilya na umaasa. Marami pong pamilya na nawalan ng hanapbuhay,” said Jaziel Salinas in Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras" on Thursday.

(I just hope they will take accountability and pay for the damage. A lot of families rely on that boat for livelihood.)

“Nananawagan ako sa ng barko na kung maaari, maging patas naman kayo panagutan ninyo naman po 'yung ginawa ninyo sa amin at tsaka huwag ninyo naman po kami basta-basta iiwan,” Salinas added.

(We are appealing for the ship owner to be fair and claim responsibility for the incident. Do not just leave us behind.)

The Coast Guard and the local government distributed aid to the affected fishermen. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News