PCG files raps vs. 4 MV Happy Hiro personnel over Palawan boat collision

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said it had filed complaints against four personnel of MV Happy Hiro after their vessel collided with a fishing boat in Agutaya, Palawan on May 28.

According to the PCG, complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple injuries, and damage to property were filed before the Antique Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday.

“Apat 'yung sinama natin doon sa charge natin—'yung kapitan, 'yung second mate, at saka dalawang officers din 'yan,” PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu said at a press conference.

(We included four in our complaint—the captain, the second mate, and two other officers.)

According to him, the captain is Croatian and the second mate is Romanian.

The PCG identified the four personnel as:

Master: Meshay Amir – Croatian

Second Mate: Antonie, Bogdan George – Romanian

Officer: Tyrone Albina Maquiling – Filipino

Officer: McKinley Panuncialman Amante – Filipino

Seven fishermen were reported missing after their fishing boat FB JOT-18 collided with MV Happy Hiro, which is under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

The PCG has already begun search and retrieval operations. The seven missing fishermen, however, are not presumed to be dead, according to Abu.

Based on the investigation, the fishing boat was anchored and had an engine failure when MV Happy Hiro hit it, Abu said.

Abu said the PCG would not allow MV Happy Hiro to leave the country and is looking forward to the court ordering its detention. —KG/VBL, GMA News