PCG informs Chinese embassy of Subic allision

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is seeking the cooperation of the Chinese embassy and the China Maritime Safety Agency in its investigation on the possible involvement of two Chinese commercial vessels in the ramming and sinking of a Filipino fishing boat off Subic in Zambales on July 3.

- EVELYN MACAIRAN

The incident injured a Filipino fisherman while another his brother went missing.

In a statement, the PCG said that based on accounts of witnesses, Chinese bulk carrier vessels Yong Fa Men and Mei Lan Hu reportedly hit Filipino fishing boat John Robert at 62 nautical miles southeast of Sampaloc Point, in Subic, Zambales.

Fisherman Jose Mondoñedo, who was on the fishing boat, is still missing. His brother Robert said the impact of the ramming threw him overboard but he was able to cling to a payao until rescued by passing fishing boat Irish Mae at 8 a.m. on July 6.

PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the BRP Sindangan continues to scour nearby waters for the missing fisherman.

"We have informed the Chinese embassy in Manila regarding the incident. We will also write to the China Maritime Safety Agency for their cooperation in the ongoing investigation," Balilo said.

He said the PCG intends to send innvestigators to China.

"Hopefully, they would allow us to conduct an investigation," he said.

Balilo admitted their investigation would be difficult as "we do not have the ball and would only be relying on the goodwill of the shipping company if they would allow us to investigate."

"Indeed it would be a difficult task, but we will do everything to obtain justice or compensation (for the victims). We will not stop until we are enlightened on what really took place that day," Balilo added.