MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said they have identified two “vessels of interest” that may have collided with a Filipino fishing boat last July 6 in the waters of Subic, Zambales, which left one fisherman still missing.
Fisherman Robert Mondeñedo was rescued, but authorities are still searching for his companion and brother, Jose Mondeñedo.
According to PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo, based on their vessel tracking system, the two vessels that passed through the collision site and are now considered vessels of interest are the Yong Fa Men and Melai Lan Hu, both of which are China-flagged bulk carriers.
However, the PCG is focusing more on the Yong Fa Men based on the account of the surviving fisherman, who stated that it was the Yong Fa Men that collided with them.
The said vessels are currently in Adang Bay in Indonesia.
The Port State Control of the Philippines is now coordinating with their counterpart in Indonesia to get more details.
The PCG has also written to the Chinese Embassy to request the China Maritime Safety Agency to cooperate in their investigation.
“Ang gusto natin malaman dito ay kung nakita ba nila [binangga] yung bangka, at kung nakita nila ay huminto ba o umiwas o anong ginawa nila, nag hit and run ba?” Balilo said.
The search and rescue operations of BRP Sindangan and the air assets of the Philippine Coast Guard are still ongoing.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has ordered to further extend the search and rescue operations.
Balilo clarified that the collision has no connection to the West Philippine Sea tensions.
“Wala itong kinalaman sa West Philippine Sea, malayo ito sa Bajo de Masinloc, mas malapit ito sa karagatan ng Subic kung saan maraming barko ang dumadaan,” Balilo said.