PH Coast Guard launches search for 14 missing Filipino fishermen

The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday resumes search operations for the 14 missing Filipino crew of a fishing boat that collided with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Mindoro. / PCG screenshot

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday continued search operations for the 14 missing Filipino crew of a fishing boat that collided with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Mindoro.

BRP Boracay is currently in the vicinity of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro to conduct the search and rescue operations, PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo told reporters Monday.

It also deployed two aerial assets — BN Islander with tail number PCG-684 and Airbus H145 light twin engine helicopter with tail number CGH-1452.

Another PCG vessel is expected to augment the ongoing search operations later in the day.

The cargo vessel MV Vienna Wood, which was bound for Australia, left Subic, Zambales. It collided with Philippine fishing boat Liberty 5 early Sunday near Mamburao.

The captain of the cargo vessel reported the incident, Balilo said. The Philippine boat was on its way to Navotas Fish Port before the collision.

The missing fishermen were workers of the Irma Fishing and Trading Company based in Navotas.

MV Vienna is expected to be brought in to Coast Guard’s Batangas headquarters on Monday.

JE