PCG chief vows to pursue Chinese carrier involved in Occidental Mindoro allision

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vowed to run after a Chinese-flagged bulk carrier tagged in an allision incident with a Filipino fishing boat off Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said that they have already coordinated with the Chinese government to investigate MV Tai Hang 8.

“We have existing protocols to go after maritime offenders. Any users of our seas, if they commit offense in our waters, we will go after them anywhere in the world through the existing protocols that we have with other Coast Guards,” he stated.

MV Tai Hang allegedly hit fishing banca “Ruel J” around 4 p.m. last Dec. 5 while the boat was attached to a “payao” or fish aggregating device off Paluan’s waters, causing it to capsize.

According to a report from the PCG, the five-member crew of the fishing boat were left adrift as the Chinese-flagged carrier continued its voyage after the allision.

Fortunately, crew members Junrey Sardan, Ryan Jay Daus, Bryan Pangatungam, Cristian Arizala, and Joshua Barbas were rescued around 12 noon on Dec. 6 near Pandan Island in the municipality of Sablayan by PCG responders who learned about the incident.

Aside from coordination with the flag state, the PCG has also contacted the carrier’s Port State Control office to determine the voyage details of the vessel, which was reportedly headed to Indonesia when the incident occurred.