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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PCG, China conduct SAR ops as Singaporean cargo ship with 21 Filipino crew capsizes off Pangasinan

PCG, China conduct SAR ops as Singaporean cargo ship with 21 Filipino crew capsizes off Pangasinan

17 crew members rescued, 4 others missing

Published Jan 23, 2026 12:46 pm  |  Updated Jan 23, 2026 04:29 pm
(Photo: China Coast Guard)
(Photo: China Coast Guard)
(UPDATED)
A Singaporean-flagged general cargo vessel loaded with iron ore listed and eventually capsized off Ango Bay in Pangasinan, prompting search and rescue (SAR) operations from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and even China Coast Guard (CCG) ships loitering within Philippine waters on Friday, Jan. 23.
The PCG said M/V Devon Bay departed Gutalac, Zamboanga del Sur en route to Yangjiang, China when it suddenly tilted at approximately 25 degrees upon reaching 141 nautical miles west of Sabangan Point, Ango Bay.
The vessel was carrying 21 Filipino crew members.
In a separate report, the CCG said it received a distress call at 1:34 a.m. on Jan. 23 from the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of Sansha City in Hainan Province about the incident.
The report stated that a foreign cargo vessel had capsized about 55 nautical miles northwest of Huangyan Dao, the name it calls Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal).
For its part, the PCG said it deployed BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408), and two aircraft for the SAR operations after receiving a distress report about the incident.
PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab confirmed that 17 crew members were rescued by a CCG vessel passing through the area, citing information from the vessel's operator, K-Line Roro Bulk Ship Management Co., Ltd.
Meanwhile, four others were missing and have already been the subject of SAR operations.
"Oil sheen was observed in the reported area during the aerial survey," Cayabyab noted.
She said the rescue was a humanitarian mission conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which requires all states to direct their ships to assist persons in distress at sea, including those transiting maritime zones of other coastal states.
The PCG said that the last known position of the distressed vessel falls within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and under UNCLOS, all ships may pass through the area under the freedom of navigation on the high seas.
However, the PCG stressed that this freedom “does not allow foreign law enforcement patrols in the zone.”
“The Coast Guard continues to closely monitor the situation and remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of the remaining crew members,” Cayabyab said.

Related Tags

PCG China Coast Guard MV Devon Bay Singapore Pangasinan
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