Two Chinese bulk carriers were considered as “vessels of interest” by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in an allision incident off Subic, Zambales last week where a Filipino fisherman went missing.
PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo identified the vessels as “Yong Fa Men” and “Mei Lan Hu” which were last located in the vicinity waters off Adang Bay in Indonesia.
The PCG is investigating whether both or one of them was responsible for striking fishing banca (Fbca) "John Robert” last July 3.
Balilo said that the PCG has already coordinated with the Indonesian Port State Control as part of their investigation.
The PCG has also informed the Chinese Embassy in Manila of the incident.
“We will also write to the China Maritime Safety Agency for their cooperation in the ongoing investigation,” Balilo said.
An unidentified foreign vessel struck fishing boat John Robert while it was stationary at approximately 62 nautical miles southeast off Sampaloc Point in Subic, Zambales on July 3.
Two fishermen were onboard the boat when the incident occurred: brothers Robert and Jose Mondoñedo.
Robert managed to survive the ordeal after holding on to their payao for three days before he was rescued by another fishing boat, fishing banca “Irish Mae”, but Jose remained missing.
“BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) continues to scour nearby waters to find Jose Mondoñedo,” Balilo said.