The families of the 14 missing crew members and passengers of fishing boat FV Liberty 5 are set to get P1 million each as compensation, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday, August 20.

In a virtual press briefing, PCG chief Admiral George Ursabia said the amount was pledged by the owners of MV Vienna Wood, the Hong Kong-flagged carrier that sank the Philippine boat.

The owners also promised to give P40 million to Liberty 5 owner Irma Fishing and Trading Incorporated, for the boat’s repairs.

The collision between the bulk carrier and the fishing boat happened late night of June 27. The PCG earlier said that the MV Vienna Wood lingered near the sinking FV Liberty 5 after the collision but failed to rescue the 12 crew members and 2 passengers of the boat.

The latest

On July 15, a Philippine court, acting on the petition of Irma Fishing and Trading, ordered the 20 crew members of the MV Vienna Wood to remain in the country as 7 of them faced criminal charges.

Ship captain Zhang Wei Wei and 6 other officers of Vienna Wood faced charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property.

The hold departure order is a measure to prevent the crew members from leaving the country and evade criminal charges. – Rappler.com