Filipino fisherman missing after boat hit by unidentified vessel

A fisherman went missing after his boat was hit by an unidentified vessel in Subic, Zambales, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday, July 9.

Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, PCG commandant, directed one of their vessels, BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), to conduct a search and rescue (SAR) operation for Jose Mondoñedo.

A report from the PCG said that Jose was with his brother, Robert, when they departed Barangay Wawandaue in Subic on July 1 onboard fishing banca (Fbca) “John Robert” to go to their payao located in the vicinity waters off Sampaloc Point for a fishing activity.

However, around 3 p.m. on July 3, an unidentified vessel hit the fishermen’s boat.

The incident occurred at approximately 62 nautical miles southeast off Sampaloc Point and around 100 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal).

The PCG said that Robert survived the allision after he held on to their payao for three days until another fishing boat, Fbca “Irish Mae”, passed by the vicinity waters and rescued him around 8 a.m. on July 6.

Meanwhile, Jose was nowhere to be found.

The Coast Guard Station (CGS) Zambales immediately issued a notice to mariners, as well as coordinated with neighboring barangays and local fisherfolks for possible sightings of the missing fisherman, according to PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo.

“As per the directive of Admiral Gavan, the CGS Zambales investigates the allision report and gathers additional information regarding the incident for appropriate measures,” Balilo added.

Balilo said an investigation was already conducted to identify the vessel that hit the boat.

“It’s still under investigation. We have conducted backtracking to determine all the vessels that passed by near the area,” Balilo said.