Coast Guard thanks China for rescue of 17 Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines, January 26 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) thanks China Coast Guard for the rescue of distressed crewmen of the Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel MV Devon Bay, even as the PCG continued to search for four Filipino seafarers still missing.

PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the agency received a report at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday that a China Coast Guard vessel passing near the reported incident area had conducted rescue operations. “Seventeen people were rescued by the China Coast Guard,” Cayabyab said, adding that the PCG “really appreciates all the parties, including the passing of the China Coast Guard, for rendering assistance to our fellow countrymen of the MV Devon Bay group.”

Cayabyab said that after the PCG broadcast a radio call for assistance, the China Coast Guard vessel was about 65 kilometers from the distressed ship and responded to the scene. She cited the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) in reminding mariners of their obligation to render assistance to people in distress at sea. “We have a moral obligation,” Cayabyab said. “It is mentioned in Unclos that every state has a moral obligation to conduct rescue operations regardless of its nationality or even jurisdiction.”

The Devon Bay ship, carrying iron ore from Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte, to Guangdong, China, began listing late Thursday. Its last known position was about 262 kilometers west of Sabangan Point, Agno Bay, Pangasinan, within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, officials said.

Source: inquirer.net