Unidentified Commercial Vessel Rams Filipino Fishing Boat, PCG Says
Three individuals have died after an unidentified commercial vessel rammed a Filipino fishing board in Scarborough Shoal.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that an unidentified commercial vessel near the Bajo de Masinloc rammed a Filipino fishing boat in the early morning hours of Monday, October 2, 2023. The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of three lives.
The PCG, responsible for safeguarding the waters around the Philippines reported that the collision led to the sinking of the Filipino fishing boat. The vessel’s captain and two crew members tragically lost their lives due to the incident.
The urgency of the issue is heightened by the fact that Scarborough Shoal, an area rich in marine biodiversity, has been a point of contention in South China Sea territorial disputes. The incident raised concerns about maritime safety in this sensitive region.
Survivors of the collision, numbering eleven in total, found themselves in a dangerous situation as their fishing boat submerged. However, they managed to escape the sinking vessel by using eight service boats.
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said that Pinoy fishermen may have been asleep during the collision. “Malamang hindi nakita ito, tulog ‘yung ibang crew members kaya hindi naka-survive,” he said.
Balilo said that PCG is trying to determine what type of commercial vessel rammed the Filipino fishing boat.
PCG was able to transport the remains of the fallen captain and two crewmates. Despite their grief and the challenges they faced, they succeeded in bringing the deceased to Barangay Cato, located in Infanta, Pangasinan.
The agency has sent personnel to the families of the victims for possible assistance. “Nakahanda po tayong magbigay ng assistance sa pamilya,” he added.
The social media users expressed their reactions to this unfortunate incident:
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