Five Filipino fishermen narrowly dodged a brush with death when their boat was rammed by a vessel bearing the flag of China in the vicinity waters near Paluan, Occidental Mindoro, on 5 December, the Philippine Coast Guard reported on Thursday.
The PCG said the five fishermen, identified as Junrey Sardan, Ryan Jay Daus, Bryan Pangatungam, Cristian Arizala, and Joshua Barbas, were rescued following an alleged allision between their boat, FBCA Ruel J, and a bulk carrier vessel, MV Tai Hang 8, at around 4 p.m.
Coast Guard Station Occidental Mindoro responded to the incident upon being notified at noon on 6 December.
The ill-fated fishing boat and its crew, alleged reportedly hit by MV Tai Hang 8, and was said to be left adrift as the foreign vessel continued its voyage.
According to the fishermen, their boat was lying in Paluan waters attached to a “payao, a type of fish aggregating device, when they were hit by MV Tai Hang 8.
Upon arrival at the Port of Sablayan, the PCG ensured the fishermen were all in good physical condition and provided them with essential supplies.
The Philippine coast guard advised FBCA Ruel J’s captain and owner to file a marine protest and assured them that they will report the incident to MV Tai Hang 8’s flag state and port state control office in adherence to maritime incident procedures, and investigate the incident further.
