The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has transferred 17 Filipino seafarers who were rescued after a cargo vessel capsized near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to the custody of PCG. According to official reports, 15 survived while two died, and four are still missing from the total of 21 people on board the ship.
A turnover operation was conducted in the sea west of Pangasinan, where the BRP Teresa Magbanua met the rescued people. The ship is expected to dock at the Port Area, Manila to provide the necessary medical assessment, debriefing, and assistance to the victims and their families.
The PCG's search and rescue operations in collaboration with other agencies to find the four missing crew members are continuing. The government emphasized that humanitarian assistance is essential for the safety of life at sea, while upholding the Philippines' rights within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and compliance with UNCLOS.
