A chopper and an islander plane were deployed off the waters of Mindoro Occidental and nearby areas to conduct search and rescue missions on 14 people on board a fishing vessel which was accidentally rammed by a cargo vessel on June 29.
Lt. Col. Imelda Tolentino, spokesperson of the MIMAROPA (Mindoro Oriental and Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Regional Police, said the chopper and the islander from the Philippine Coast Guard served as augmentation to the search and rescue teams using sea vessels from the Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police.
“As of today, the 12 missing crew of the vessel and their two passengers are still missing,” said Tolentino.
On Sunday, cargo vessel MV Vienna Wood accidentally hit the fishing boat off the waters of Mamburao town of Occidental Mindoro.
The zero visibility and rough seas due to bad weather condition were seen as the reason of the sea mishap and allegedly prevented the crew of the cargo vessel to conduct rescue.
Those missing were identified as boat captain Jose Magnes Alfonso; Renante Dahon, Chief Mate; Reymel Magura, Chief Engineer; Miguel Comaling, Assistant Chief Engineer; Joefrey Bantog, Oiler; Jeerom Alaska, Oiler; Michael Flores, Master Hatchman; Jayson Bigonte, Adrian Robert Amogod, Bartolome Oab Jr, Herbert Dalabayan, Reynald Riparip, Hatchmen; and Ariel Tabang, Eduardo Manipol, additional passengers.
Tolentino said the BRP Boracay of the PCG was sent to Mamburao for search and rescue operations.
“Additional rescue teams from Batangas and the police’s Maritime Mobile Team are also conducting search and rescue operations,” said Tolentino.
The fishing vessel was already at the Batangas Port.