PCG identifies Marshall Islands-flagged tanker as primary suspect in tragic fishing boat collision

(UPDATED) MANILA – On Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker as the primary suspect in the collision off Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales, which tragically resulted in the deaths of three Filipino fishermen.

In a recent situation update, the PCG officially named the tanker the “Pacific Anna.” This identification was made by cross-referencing data from marine traffic with accounts provided by the surviving crew of the FFB Dearyn.

“The PCG will reach out to the flag state of the vessel and the next port it plans to visit, requesting that port state control officers board the vessel for further investigation,” the statement mentioned.

The incident took place at approximately 4:20 a.m. on Monday while the FFB Dearyn was anchored at its payaw, a type of bamboo raft used in fishing, located roughly 85 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc.

According to statements from the survivors, eight of the fishing boat’s 14 crew members were at different fishing locations, while the remaining six, including the boat’s captain, were aboard the mother ship. Due to adverse weather conditions causing poor visibility in the darkness, the crew on the mother ship failed to detect an unidentified vessel approaching. This led to a collision that resulted in the capsizing of the mother ship.

At 8 a.m., the eight other crew members returned to their mother ship’s location, discovered the three survivors, and recovered the bodies of the three unfortunate victims. They subsequently proceeded to the Coast Guard Substation in Infanta, using their eight small service boats to transport the three cadavers.

The deceased crew members were identified as Dexter Laundensia, 47, who served as the boat captain; Romeo Mejico, 38; and Benedick Uladandria, 62—all hailing from Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales.

Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged to provide assistance to the crew members of the fishing vessel and the families of the victims. Marcos also appealed to the public to avoid making speculations while the PCG completes its investigation into the incident. (ai/mnm)