PCG OBTAINS VIDEO OF OIL TANKER COLLISION WITH PINOY FISHING BOAT

THE Philippine Coast Guard has sent a letter to the Marshall Islands requesting its cooperation in connection with the ongoing investigation into the oil tanker that collided with fishing boat “FFB Dearyn” near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea which resulted in the death of  three Filipino fishermen.

The Philippine Coast Guard has obtained a maritime traffic data  video that  showed the collision of the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker “Pacific Anna” with the Filipino fishermen’s boat.

The video obtained by the PCG showed the “Pacific Anna” rammed the fishermen’s boat around 4:20 a.m. of  October 2 at 85 nautical miles of Bajo de Masinloc and 180 nautical miles of Agno, Pangasinan. The government of the Marshall Islands has already acknowledged the letter signed and sent by Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu regarding the collision last Oct. 2.

However, the Philippines has yet to receive a formal response.

Admiral Abu has requested the  Marshall Islands for their to cooperation in the collision.

The video showed the collision and minutes later, it showed the two crew and the boat’s captain were found dead. 

The PCG said the Marshall Islands, which is believed to be the flag state of the ship that collided with the Philippine fishing boat, is obligated to hold the ship accountable for the incident that killed three fishermen.

According to PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela, the said vessel is the responsibility of where it is registered and the flag state administration that owns the ship should be held accountable.