MANILA, Philippines – Three Filipino fisherfolk died after an “unidentified commercial vessel” rammed a Filipino fishing boat passing through the waters off Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

According to an initial report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), a surviving crew member of the fishing boat Dearyn said their mother boat was rammed at around 4:30 am on Monday, October 2, while it was preparing to fish some 85 nautical miles northwest of the shoal. The mother boat sank, killing three of its crew members including its captain. 

The incident was reported to the PCG at around 10 am on Tuesday, October 3, after the 11 surviving crew members of the Dearyn and their 3 dead finally made their way to Barangay Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan. 

Close to noon on October 4, Wednesday, 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. 

The PCG said they determined the ship’s identity “cross-referencing the fishermen’s account, the date, and the time” and “thorough check on marine traffic.”

“The PCG will reach out to the flag of the vessel and next port to be visited by the said vessel to be boarded by the Port State Control Officers,” said the PCG.

According to the survivors, eight fishermen were in different locations in the wee hours of the morning on October 2, while six of Dearyn’s crew, including the boat captain, remained on the mother boat. 

Survivors said they were unable to see the Pacific Anna because of “adverse weather conditions causing darkness,” according to the PCG report. 

The PCG did not name the fatalities but said they were fishermen aged 47, 38, and 62 from Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales.  

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it would wait for the results of the PCG probe before making further comments on the incident. 

“We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the families of our fisherfolk who perished in this tragic event at sea,” said DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza. – Rappler.com