Coast Guard shoots ‘intruding’ Taiwanese off Batanes

The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday said it fired upon one of four Taiwanese fishing vessels that entered the country’s territorial waters, leaving one fisherman dead.

Coast Guard commandant Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena said the shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, while a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel (MCS 3001) operated by PCG personnel was patrolling the Balintang Channel off Batanes.

The PCG personnel encountered four foreign fishing vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and tried to board one of them, but another “repeatedly tried to ram our MCS,” Isorena said in a statement.

He said this prompted the Coast Guard personnel on board the MCS to fire “warning shots” and later on, shoot the vessel’s machinery portion “to disable” it.

“While the maneuver is happening, our MCS detected the presence of unidentified grey and white ships, forcing them to withdraw and return back to port,” Isorena said.

He said the personnel on board the MCS were not able to immediately verify what happened to the fishing vessel, and the PCG only learned Friday that one of the Taiwanese fishermen died.

Isorena said that while the PCG considers the incident as “very unfortunate,” more effort will be done to secure the country’s waters.

“Efforts will be instituted to prevent similar occurrences. The government will increase our visibility in the area to prevent future incursion of our waters,” the PCG chief said.

“We sympathize with the family of the fisherman who died and we assure them of a transparent and impartial investigation. The PCG will relieve all personnel on board MCS 3001 of their duties while the investigation is ongoing,” he added.

Earlier, China’s state-owned Xinhua News Agency earlier reported that a Filipino “military ship” opened fire on a Taiwanese fishing boat on Thursday, about 180 nautical miles southeast of Erluanbi, the southernmost tip of Taiwan.

“After killing the fisherman, the Filipino military ship continued to chase and fire in bursts at the Taiwanese vessel,” Xinhua said, citing information from Taiwan’s fishing authority and media.

Maj. Ramon Zagala, chief of the Armed Forces’ public affairs office, said that contrary to the report, the incident involved a “Coast Guard-controlled” BFAR vessel.

Zagala, however, said the incident occurred within the Philippines’ “territorial waters.”

“Since the incident occurred within our territorial waters, it is therefore within the jurisdiction of our coast guard,” Zagala said in a statement.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, the Navy’s spokesman for issues in the West Philippine Sea, also denied Xinhua’s report.

Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, reported Thursday night that all Navy vessels under his command were in ports in Subic or Sual, Pangasinan, Arevalo said. (John Roson)

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Chinese vessel stuck at Tubbataha Reef

A Chinese fishing vessel ran aground at the Tubbataha Reef on Monday night, just days after a US Navy ship was removed from the protected marine biodiversity area, authorities said Tuesday.

The fishing boat ran aground at the southern portion of the reef’s North Islet around 11:45 p.m., Navy spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said, citing a report from Tubbataha Reef park superintendent Angelique Songco.

The boat, which bears the number 63168, has 12 crew members on board, Arevalo said.

Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesman, said one of their search and rescue vessels was sent to the scene to help park rangers investigate.

The BRP Romblon (SARV 3503) arrived at the site around 10:55 a.m. Tuesday and confirmed the grounding of the 20-meter long boat, he said.

“Ang plano is kapag nag-refloat yung fishing boat due to high tide, eescortan ito dun sa Puerto Princesa City then dadalhin ‘yung crew sa National Committee on Illegal Entrants. Kung poachers sila, kakasuhan,” Balilo said in a phone interview.

Should the fishing boat fail to refloat, its crew members will be taken to Puerto Princesa on board the BRP Romblon, he said.

The grounding occurred just 10 days after authorities finished removing the USS Guardian’s wreckage at the reef’s South Atoll on March 30.

The Guardian, which ran aground on Jan. 17 after making a port call in Subic Bay, Zambales, damaged 2,345.67 square meters of coral, according to the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO).

The US government will be fined $1.5 million, or P58.4 million, for the Guardian’s grounding, the TMO said. (John Roson)

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1,000 sqm. of Tubbataha Reef damaged due to US Navy ship

At least 1,000 square meters of the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan was damaged because of the grounding of the US Navy ship USS Guardian, the Coast Guard said.

“Initially, 1,000 square meters of the reef was damaged,” Coast Guard spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said, citing results of an investigation by Joint Task Force Tubbataha.

The task force, led by Department of Transportation and Communications Usec. Eduardo Oban, is still conducting “further assessments,” Balilo said.

Members of the task force include the Coast Guard, AFP Western Command (Westcom), Philippine Navy, Tubbataha Management Office, and local government units.

A Nomad plane of the Air Force conducted another reconnaissance flight over Tubbataha on Wednesday morning, according to Westcom.

A rubber boat, apparently from the US, was seen approaching the USS Guardian around 8 a.m., a Westcom official said.

The USS Guardian, a minesweeper, ran aground at the reef’s “South Atoll” on Jan. 17, three days after making a port call in Subic Bay, Zambales. (John Roson)

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Families flee floods, ferry runs aground due to ‘Auring’

At least 90 families evacuated their homes as rains spawned by tropical depression “Auring” caused floods in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, authorities said.

The families were evacuated to higher grounds after the Lubungan River in Brgy. San Jose overflowed, Office of Civil Defense administrator Benito Ramos said.

Other affected areas in Zamboanga del Norte include the municipalities of Katipunan and President Manuel A. Roxas.

In Katipunan, a portion of the National Highway had knee-deep floods while high water level was recorded at the Dicayo Bridge.

In President Manuel A. Roxas, high water level was recorded at the Piao and Tangian Bridge, as well as in Brgys. Irasan and Langatian.

Floods left at least two houses in Purok Malinggay, Lower Irasan, totally damaged while neck-deep water level was recorded in Purok Tubo, Ramos said, adding that no casualties have so far been reported.

Zamboanga City experienced light to moderate rains and gusty winds around 12:30 p.m. but local authorities have yet to submit reports of any damage, Ramos said.

Ferry runs aground

Meanwhile, a ferry from Zamboanga ran aground in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, amid strong waves Thursday morning.

The ferry, which was carrying 228 passengers and 14 crew members, was manuevering to dock at the Dumaguete Port around 10 a.m. when it ran aground, Coast Guard spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said.

“Wala pang PSWS (public storm warning signal) nung ma-aground pero malakas ang alon,” Balilo said when asked if the incident was caused by tropical depression “Auring.”

As of 2 p.m., Coast Guard, police, and port personnel were still bringing the ferry’s passengers to land via rubber boats, he said.

Palawan alerted

Around 12 noon, the center of “Auring” was located 370 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Ramos said the weather disturbance was heading towards southern Palawan and could make a landfall Thursday night or early Friday.

“Ngayong gabi baka lalakas dahil ang ugali ng bagyo, pag nag-travel sa dagat, Sulu Sea for this matter, lalakas ito at magbabago ng direksyon,” he said.

Ramos said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has already alerted its units and allied agencies in southern municipalities of Palawan, including Aborlan, Narra, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Quezon, and Rizal.

“They still have 18 hours to go, kaya binigay na natin sa local disaster management units ‘yung discretion kung sila ay magpi-preemptive evacuation. Ang low-lying area lang naman na identified ay isa, yung sa Narra,” he said. (John Roson)

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Navy seizes P15-M undocumented fuel, cigarettes in Sulu

Navy troops intercepted P15 million worth of undocumented fuel and cigarettes off Tulian Island, Sulu, Tuesday afternoon.

The contraband, whose country of origin has yet to be determined, was found on board the “motor launch” Wish Me Luck Princess after troops stopped the vessel around 1 p.m., Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said.

Operatives of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao based near the Chinese Pier in Jolo earlier spotted the vessel trying to avoid them, Tonsay said.

This prompted the operatives to intercept and board the vessel, he said.

The motor launch, which had 13 crewmembers on board, was found to be carrying 796 plastic drums (250 liters capacity each) of gasoline and 1,000 boxes (50 reams per box) of cigarettes, all without supporting documents, Tonsay said.

Initial investigation by Navy operatives indicated that undocumented items are owned by at least 10 persons represented by one Jhonson Askali of Brgy. Bunut, Indanan.

It was also learned that the vessel had no Coast Guard Clearance and was sailing without a “master patron,” Tonsay said.

The Wish Me Luck Princess made its last port call in Sitangkay, Tawi-Tawi, and was reportedly heading for Tanjung Pier in Indanan. Its previous port calls overseas have yet to be determined.

The Navy has already turned over the vessel, its crew, and the contraband to the Bureau of Customs in Jolo.

The crew might face charges of violating Republic Act 1937 or the Tariff and Customs Code, Tonsay said. (John Roson)

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2 killed, 8 missing due to storm ‘Ofel’ (Son-Tinh)

Two persons were reported killed while eight others remain missing as tropical storm “Ofel” (international name: Son-Tinh) slammed into several provinces in central Philippines and Metro Manila on Thursday, authorities said.

Ruben Tabura, 66, died after being buried in a landslide while fetching water from a river in Brgy. Jaclupan, Talisay City, around 3:30 p.m., Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu Provincial Police director, said in a text message.

A certain Sophia Recto reportedly died of hypothermia in Marinduque, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Among the missing are fisherman Jonrey Acaso, 28, who set to sea from Pintuyan, Southern Leyte, on Monday and Jonny Ocson, 8, who went swimming at a beach in Odiongan, Romblon, on Wednesday.

Also missing are Muhammad Kanape Guiamad, 11, who went swimming at the Tamontaka River in Cotabato City, and Rigel Saycon, 18, of Dumanjug, Cebu, and two other persons in General Santos City, the NDRRMC said.

Still not included in the NDRRMC’s list are fishermen Christopher Maranan, 24, and Eric Presto, 15, both residents of Brgy. Cuta, Batangas City. The two were last seen 3 a.m. Thursday, according to the Batangas Provincial Police.

In its 5 p.m. report, the disaster agency said nine people, including three whose boat capsized near Tacloban City, Leyte, were still missing.

But Senior Supt. Romulo Cleve Taboso, Tacloban City police director, said the three, identified as Clemente Umban Sr., 50; Ariel Posto, 23; and Olavit Posto, 12, have been able to return home.

The three took shelter on Dio Island and were confirmed to be back at their homes in Sitio Costa Brava, Brgy. San Jose, Thursday morning, Taboso said in a text message.

Southern Luzon, Visayas bear brunt

On Thursday, strong winds and rains brought by “Ofel” hit Quezon, Batangas, Masbate, Romblon, Marindue, Mindoro Island, Pnay Island, and Cebu, after the storm passed through Mindanao and Eastern Visayas.

The town of Bantayan experienced big waves while Tudela reported a power outage and Talisay City, the landslide, Comendador said.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in the city, according to the NDRRMC.

In Masbate, strong winds and waves destroyed three houses in Dimasalang and six fishing boats in Placer, Supt. Jeffrey Fernandez, deputy provincial police director, said.

Quezon experienced “continuous” rain but no storm-related incidents have been reported as of Thursday afternoon, provincial police director Senior Supt. Valeriano de Leon said.

Earlier, the NDRRMC reported that 296 families or 957 people in Maasin City and St. Bernard of Southern Leyte, as well as Palo, Burauen, and La Paz of Leyte fled their homes due to floods.

Landslides occurred in Bontoc, Southern Leyte, affecting roads and bridges, according to local police.

Floods occurred in Brgys. Lagao and Baluan of General Santos City, prompting at least seven families to evacuate, the NDRRMC said.

Metro Manila hit too

Rains also hit Metro Manila from early morning Thursday up to the evening, causing floods in several roads, according to police.

Gutter-deep floods occurred along Sipac st., Almacen, and M. Naval in Navotas City; Nascano st. of Brgy. Tugatog, Malabon City; Pasong Tamo and Pasong Tirad sts. of Makati City, but all remain passable to vehicles, the National Capital Region Police Office reported.

No other storm-related incident has been reported so far in the metropolis.

16,000 stranded in ports, 20 flights cancelled

Some 16,473 people remain stranded Thursday in ports in Cebu City, Tagbilaran City, Dumaguete City, Matnog and Pilar of Sorsogon, Cagayan de Oro City, Surigao City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Caticlan of Aklan, Roxas City of Capiz, Batangas, and Mannila, according to the Coast Guard.

Sea travel is still suspended to prevent maritime disasters, according to the agency.

Thousands of airline passengers are also stranded as more than 20 flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been cancelled. (John Roson)

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Flights, ships, fishing banned again on South Korea rocket launch

The Philippines will again ban flights, marine transport, and fishing in waters east of the country when South Korea launches a rocket on Oct. 26, Office of Civil Defense administrator Benito Ramos said.

The “exclusion zone” covers 600-kilometer by 400-kilometer rectangular area located 540 nautical miles off Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, Ramos told reporters in a briefing.

Government agencies will enforce the ban when South Korea launches the rocket 2:30 p.m. (Philippine time) up to 6 p.m., giving a leeway for the booster and “fairing” to fall into the sea.

The rocket’s “fairing” measures about 5 meters while the booster measures about 25 meters – or about the height of two electric posts.

“It is highly unlikely that they (fairing and booster) will hit the land,” Ramos said, adding that both parts are expected to disintegrate in the atmosphere.

In case the launch does not push through on Oct. 26, the ban will also be enforced on Oct. 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, the “reserve dates” provided by South Korea, Ramos said.

“We will be closely coordinating with South Korea’s defense attache. We expect them to give us a blow-by-blow account. They have been very transparent,” he said.

Last April, North Korea also launched a rocket said to be carrying a satellite, prompting the Philippines to planes from flying and ships from sailing in waters east of the country.

No nuclear content?

Teofilo Leonin, chief of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute’s regulations division, said the government was still “unsure” if South Korea’s rocket will be carrying nuclear or radioactive materials.

“The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has not yet issued an advisory [if the rocket has nuclear materials], unlike when North Korea launched its rocket last April,” Leonin said.

“There might be more hazards from the fire or explosion [if the rocket parts hit the land],” he told reporters.

A representative from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said northeasterly winds or “amihan” prevailing later this month will not be able to “capture” the falling rocket parts or take these closer to land.

Flights to be diverted

Michael Mabanag, representing the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said the agency will inform airlines seven days ahead of South Korea’s launch.

The launch will affect “five major air routes” used by carriers flying from Japan to different countries such as Singapore, as well as planes departing from Manila to Japan and South Korea, he said.

“We will be offering contingency routes,” he said.

A representative from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said the agency will issue an advisory to all shipping companies in Regions 1, 4, 5, and 10.

At the briefing, Ramos instructed representatives of the Armed Forces, National Police, Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Department of Health to put their personnel near the affected areas on alert.

He also advised representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Interior and Local Government to prepare food for fishermen who might be affected by the ban.

The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KLSV-1) rocket will be launched at the Naro Center in Gehung, Jeollanam, to put a satellite into polar orbit. It will be South Korea’s third attempt to launch the space probe. (John Roson)

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10 rescued as boat capsizes off Masbate

A cargo boat capsized in waters off Mandaon, Masbate, early Thursday, throwing off several people into the sea, police said.

The boat Precious Nicole was sailing towards Cebu City around 3 a.m. when it capsized off Brgy. Cagmasoso, Mandaon, Supt. Renato Bataller, Bicol regional police spokesman, said.

As of 12 noon, all 10 crew members and passengers have already been rescued by members of the Balud Police and Coast Guard, he said.

Col. Generoso Bolina, Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman, identified those rescued as Ariel Rala, 35; Delia Rala, 56; Flordelisa Cantila, 53; Dennis Cantila, 25; Eduardo Rala, 56; Ryan Cantila, 27; July Gregorio, 32; Christian Miralles, 15; Regie Cantila, 17; and Jimmy Cantila, 49.

The 10, all residents of Sitio Mabariw, Brgy. San Agustin, Aroroy, are safe and have been brought back to the town, from Balud, Bolina said. (John Roson)

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7 dead, 3 missing as boat capsizes off Tawi-Tawi

Seven people were killed while three others remain missing when a passenger boat capsized off Simunul, Tawi-Tawi, Wednesday afternoon, a police official said.

The M/B Mt. Sarina was sailing in waters off Brgy. Bakong around 2:30 p.m. when it was battered by big waves and capsized, Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Tawi-Tawi provincial police director, said.

The boat was carrying 25 passengers at the time, he said.

Fifteen passengers were rescued while seven bodies were recovered by members of the Simunul Police, Navy, Coast Guard, and officials of Brgys. Tampakan, Pagasinan, and Bakong, Jocson said.

As of Thursday morning, authorities are still looking for three passengers of the ill-fated boat despite the bad weather, he said. (John Roson)

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Chinese ships pull out of Half Moon Shoal

(Update) The Chinese warship stuck at Hasa-Hasa Shoal (international name: Half Moon Shoal) pulled free and left along with six other vessels Sunday, normalizing the situation in the area, officials said.

A Coast Guard vessel in the area confirmed that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy frigate No. 560 and the other ships spotted near it left before noon, Peter Paul Galvez, defense department spokesman, said.

“We will be continuously investigating the matter regarding the incident,” he said.

Commodore Rustom Pena, commander of the Naval Forces West (Navforwest), said the situation in Hasa-Hasa is now “normal” after the Chinese vessels’ departure.

Pena, however, said he still does not know how the warship ended up at Hasa-Hasa, which is just 65 nautical miles away from the island-town of Balabac, Palawan.

“Dumadaan lang siguro. Marami naman dumadaan diyan,” he said.

Vessels of the Navforwest will be continuing patrols in the area, Pena said, adding their ships were not there when the incident occurred. (John Roson)

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