China turns over 17 Devon Bay crew members to PH
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday said it has custody of the 15 Filipino survivors and two deceased crew members of MV Devon Bay from the China Coast Guard (CCG).
According to a PCG statement, the Filipino crew members, whose cargo vessel capsized off Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, were received during a turnover operation conducted between the PCG and CCG about 311 kilometers west off Tambobong, Pangasinan.
“The rescued Filipino crew members were transferred using the rigid-hull inflatable boats of both vessels due to big waves prevailing in the area,” the PCG said.
“Meanwhile, the two cadavers that were transferred to the PCG will undergo proper disposition, in close coordination with the concerned authorities and the bereaved families,” it added.
PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab expressed the agency’s appreciation to the CCG for the humanitarian assistance it provided in ensuring the safety of the Filipinos at sea.
Cayabyab said BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), the ship currently carrying the 17 crew members, is scheduled to arrive at Pier 13, Port Area, Manila, early Monday morning.
Search and rescue
Meanwhile, the PCG assured the public that the BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV-4408) and the PCG Islander aircraft continue its search and rescue operations to locate the four remaining missing Filipino crew members in the reported distressed area.
The Singapore-flagged MV Devon Bay had 21 Filipino crew and was carrying iron ore when it departed Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte, bound for Guangdong, China.
Its last known position was about 262 km west of Sabangan Point, Ango Bay, Pangasinan, at around 8:30 p.m. last Thursday, Jan. 22.
The PCG received a report at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday that a CCG vessel passing near the reported incident area had conducted rescue operations.
When the PCG broadcast a radio call for assistance, the Chinese vessel was about 65 km from the distressed ship and responded to the scene.
The CCG eventually rescued several Filipino crew members while the PCG deployed its vessels and aircraft for search and rescue operations.
