Coast Guard files motion to prevent MV Vienna Wood crew from leaving country

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Vice Admiral George Ursabia on Wednesday said a motion has been filed to prevent crew members of Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel MV Vienna Wood from returning to China while a probe on the collision is ongoing.

This was announced by Ursabia during his meeting with the families of the 14 Filipinos onboard the FV Liberty 5 who are still missing.

The search and retrieval operations for them formally ended on Tuesday. However, Ursabia said personnel of the PCG Station in Occidental Mindoro will continue to monitor the area where the collision took place.

Ursabia also said mobile patrol operations along the shoreline of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro will be sustained to locate the victims.

The PCG chief also assured the families that a hold departure order against MV Vienna Wood would be issued this week to ensure that the said bulk carrier will remain under the Philippines' custody.

'Not being kept'

Ursabia also dismissed the allegation that some of the missing individuals are allegedly being kept inside the bulk carrier.

"Nahalughog po natin ang buong pasilidad ng MV Vienna Wood. Wala pong katotohanan ang mga bali-balita na nasa loob nito ang ilan sa mga mangingisda na biktima ng insidente," Ursabia said.

"Wala rin pong pressure mula sa China na maki-alam sa kaso. Maliwanag na may full jurisdiction tayo dahil sa karagatan natin nangyari yung insidente,” he added.

Ursabia said the PCG would assist the families if ever they decide to file a civil case against MV Vienna Wood. The PCG already lodged criminal complaints against the shipping company, master and officers of the cargo vessel following the incident.

"Tutulong po kami sa inyo sa paghahain ng civil case. 'Yung criminal case po na inihain namin, pwede niyo pong gamitin sa inyong kaso," Ursabia said.

"Rest assured po na ang Coast Guard, tutulong sa inyo. Alam ko po na masakit talaga ang ganitong sitwasyon. Ipagdasal po natin ito sa Panginoon. Wala pong ibang makakatulong sa atin kundi Diyos lang," he added. — RSJ, GMA News