The Philippine Navy’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) on Tuesday responded to a sunken Vietnamese vessel in Quirino Atoll.
Navy Spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said responders came from operation control of Naval Forces West.
“Naval Forces West immediately responded upon receiving information from Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) elements about a sunken Vietnamese fishing vessel inside Quirino (Jackson) Atoll, a Filipino traditional fishing ground, in the West Philippine Sea on July 30, 2024,” Alcos reported.
PS16 Commanding Officer, LCdr. Christofer Neil Calvo on the other hand said that they arrived in the vicinity of the said atoll an hour after receiving the report and immediately deployed a rescue team.
Upon investigation, the Vietnamese fishing vessel with Bow Nr. Q. Ng 96554 TS was found with neither personnel onboard nor any oil spill that may harm marine life, while assorted food and beverages were observed floating near the vessel.
However, another Vietnamese fishing vessel was also sighted 4.6 nautical miles away suggesting that the people on board the sunken vessel may have been rescued by their compatriots.
PS16 later confirmed the rescue of the crew by the other vessel.
“The Philippine Navy’s immediate response to assist the Vietnamese vessel underscores the strong PH-Vietnam relations. This established bond between the PN and VPN is a product of a series of confidence-building activities such as the recent 7th PN-VPN interactions in Pugad Island held this month,” Alcos added.
The Philippine Navy also said that it values its partnership with like-minded nations that support a rules-based international order.
“This is also a reassurance that the Philippine Navy stands ready to assist Filipino and foreign fishermen alike in the West Philippine Sea.”
