BY Victor Reyes and Jocelyn Montemayor
THREE Filipino fishermen died after a foreign commercial vessel rammed their boat Monday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday.
President Marcos Jr. said government will exhaust all efforts to determine what actually happened and to “hold accountable those who are responsible for this unfortunate maritime incident.”
He asked the public to let the PCG investigate and to “refrain from engaging in speculation” about the incident.
The President, on his official X account, also said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and assured the families of the fatalities and the rest of the crewmen that the government will provide support to them
The PCG said the incident occurred at 4:20 a.m. some 85 nautical miles northwest of Scarborough Shoal or 180 nautical miles or 180 nautical miles from Agno, Pangasinan.
Citing results of initial investigations, the PCG said ill-fated fishing boat FB Dearyn was moored at its “payaw,” or fish aggregating device, when it was hit by the oil tanker registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands.
Only six fishermen were aboard, including the captain, at that time of the incident as eight others went on fishing on board bancas, the PCG said.
“Due to the adverse weather conditions causing darkness, the crew on board the mother boat failed to detect an unidentified vessel approaching, resulting in a collision that caused the mother boat to capsize,” a PCG report said.
Three of crew members of the boat, including the captain, died in the mishap.
A police report named the fatalities as boat captain Dexter Laudensia, 47; Romeo Mejico, 38; and Benedick Uladandria, 62; all residents of Subic, Zambales.
The cadavers of the victims were later recovered by their fellow fishermen and brought to Infanta, Pangasinan. The incident was reported to the PCG on Tuesday morning.
“After cross-referencing the fishermen’s account, the date, and the time, we conducted a thorough check on marine traffic,” the PCG report said.
“It turns out that Pacific Anna, a crude oil tanker vessel, registered under the flag of Marshall Island aligns with the details provided by the fishermen,” it added.
It said it will reach out to the flag of the vessel and the next port the vessel will so it can be “boarded by the port state control officers.”
“The PCG will now coordinate with Pacific Anna for further measures,” a PCG statement said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs offered condolences to the families of the three slain fishermen but did not provide details on the incident, saying the PCG is conducting an investigation.
Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed sorrow over the tragic incident.
“These fishermen represent the heart of our nation, braving the seas daily to provide for their families. Their sudden loss has left a void that reverberates across our country,” he said.
Romualdez appealed to the public for patience and understanding while the PCG is investigating the incident, saying “it is paramount that we, as a nation, trust our institutions and refrain from speculating, ensuring the investigation proceeds without hindrance.”
Recognizing the urgent needs of the grieving families, the Speaker also urged government agencies to promptly extend financial support, counseling services, and legal assistance to them.
Rep. France Castro (PL, ACT), a member of the Makabayan bloc, said the ramming incident “highlights the need for more Philippine Coast Guard patrols in our waters.”
“Today, the PCG said the foreign commercial vessel was identified as the Pacific Anna, a crude oil tanker registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands. Given that commercial vessels have the right of innocent passage, the incident could have been prevented if there were more PCG patrols in Bajo de Masinloc, aside from preventing such accidents they can also be more effective in protecting our waters and our fisherfolk,” she said.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Philippine authorities should make accountable the oil tanker.
He said the owner of the oil tanker has a lot to answer for because it was a case of a “hit and run.”
He said the government can also ask for the owner to pay for the damage to properties and loss of lives.
“May code of conduct, that they should have extended assistance to those in need… Mukhang nilagpasan sila (It looks like the Filipino fishermen were disregarded),” he added.
He also said the Senate extends its condolences to the families of the killed Filipino fishermen “and I vow to help them seek justice for their loved ones.”
Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III said other vessels should have extended assistance to those in distress.
“Our condolences to the grieving families of those who died. I’m sure the government has a program to help them. Also, our government can help the families seek justice for what happened,” he also said.
Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said authorities must conduct a comprehensive and unbiased investigation to determine the circumstances behind the ramming of the Filipino fishermen’s vessel.
Sen. Grace Poe said those responsible should be “meted the appropriate punishment.”
“No one should escape the arm of the law. We call on our maritime authorities to increase their presence in our waters and strictly monitor local vessels sailing to fish to ensure their safety,” Poe said.
Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros said the incidents calls for an increase in the intelligence funds of the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure the safety of the country’s vessels sailing the West Philippine Sea.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, said those responsible for the death of the Filipino fishermen should be held accountable.
“The need to protect our fisherfolks and our marine resources cannot be overemphasized through the passage of our own maritime zone law and the procurement of the necessary equipment for our coast guard as well. We await the results of the investigation being done,” he said.
Tolentino, during the budget hearing for the proposed budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA) should speed up the mapping of the country’s exclusive economic zone.
“Can’t we fast track this by utilizing the resources of other well-financed countries who are members of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)?” he said.
Tolentino made the pitch after NAMRIA said that the EEZ mapping will be finished by 2028.
“It depends on the resources that we have. If we have adequate resources, we can finish it,” said NAMRIA administrator Peter Tiangco. — With Wendell Vigilia and Raymond Africa
