Case of missing fisher prompts need for PH-ASEAN maritime cooperation
Published Sep 20, 2018 12:08 pm
By Francis Wakefield
The Department of National Defense (DND) said that the successful rescue of a Filipino fisherman who went missing days ago in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) highlights the importance of information sharing and maritime cooperation with other countries, especially with the country's neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Department of National Defense logo
The fisherman rescued was identified as Freddy Apat, 29, married with three children and a resident of Balayan, Batangas.
In a statement, the DND's Public Affairs Service said in addition to the Coast Guard vessels deployed to search for the missing fisherman, the Philippine government reported the incident to the Information Fusion Center (IFC) in Singapore, which in turn sent out a general notice to all vessels in the area.
The IFC, it was recalled, is a regional maritime security center hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy which aims to facilitate information sharing and collaboration between partner organizations.
"We are happy to note that the fisherman, Mr. Freddy Apat, has been rescued by a Philippine fishing vessel and is now in Puerto Princessa City.," the DND PAS said.
"The successful rescue of Apat highlights the importance of having mechanisms in place for information sharing and maritime cooperation with other countries, especially with our neighbors in the ASEAN," it added.
Apat was reported missing on September 14, 2018 when he did not return to his mother boat FB Michele after he boarded his small banca and conducted fishing activity 45 nautical miles southeast of Rizal Reef in the WPS.
Accordingly, Apat boarded his 6-feet banca to fish but failed to return in the afternoon. The boat captain requested for assistance to conduct search and rescue operations in the area, including RRD and Hasa-hasa shoal.
Apat was later rescued by Naval Forces West and Philippine Coast Guard operatives on September 17, 2018 in the vicinity of Cape Melville, WPS.
Naval Forces West operatives immediately notified Apat's family that he has been rescued and is in safe condition, and arranged for his transfer to Philippine Coast Guard Vessel MRRV 4407 who is conducting search and rescue operations in the area.
Department of National Defense logo
The fisherman rescued was identified as Freddy Apat, 29, married with three children and a resident of Balayan, Batangas.
In a statement, the DND's Public Affairs Service said in addition to the Coast Guard vessels deployed to search for the missing fisherman, the Philippine government reported the incident to the Information Fusion Center (IFC) in Singapore, which in turn sent out a general notice to all vessels in the area.
The IFC, it was recalled, is a regional maritime security center hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy which aims to facilitate information sharing and collaboration between partner organizations.
"We are happy to note that the fisherman, Mr. Freddy Apat, has been rescued by a Philippine fishing vessel and is now in Puerto Princessa City.," the DND PAS said.
"The successful rescue of Apat highlights the importance of having mechanisms in place for information sharing and maritime cooperation with other countries, especially with our neighbors in the ASEAN," it added.
Apat was reported missing on September 14, 2018 when he did not return to his mother boat FB Michele after he boarded his small banca and conducted fishing activity 45 nautical miles southeast of Rizal Reef in the WPS.
Accordingly, Apat boarded his 6-feet banca to fish but failed to return in the afternoon. The boat captain requested for assistance to conduct search and rescue operations in the area, including RRD and Hasa-hasa shoal.
Apat was later rescued by Naval Forces West and Philippine Coast Guard operatives on September 17, 2018 in the vicinity of Cape Melville, WPS.
Naval Forces West operatives immediately notified Apat's family that he has been rescued and is in safe condition, and arranged for his transfer to Philippine Coast Guard Vessel MRRV 4407 who is conducting search and rescue operations in the area.