Credits: INQUIRER.NET
A Filipino fisherman remains missing after his boat was hit by an unidentified ship in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Tuesday.
The fishing boat, Fbca John Robert, was struck by an unknown vessel approximately 62 nautical miles southeast of Sampaloc Point on July 3, causing it to sink. PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo disclosed that 47-year-old Robert Mondoñedo was rescued on July 6, but his brother, Jose Mondoñedo, remains missing.
In response, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has dispatched the BRP Sindangan to search for the missing fisherman.
Senator Francis Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate panel on maritime and admiralty zones, mentioned that the ship that hit the Filipino fishing boat allegedly had Chinese characters labeled “Yang Fu,” but its registry remains uncertain.
“We are still investigating and backtracking,” Balilo told INQUIRER.net when asked about Tolentino’s report. The PCG is now examining the automatic identification system logs of cargo vessels and other commercial ships in the area.
When questioned about the possibility of a commercial vessel being involved, Balilo acknowledged, “Yes, because the area is a maritime trade route, and based on our observation, many ships pass by there.”
The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by Filipino fishermen in the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea, as authorities work to identify the vessel responsible and ensure the safety of those who navigate these busy maritime routes.