Vietnamese cargo vessel runs aground in Balabac, Palawan

A Vietnamese cargo vessel with 17 crew ran aground in Barangay Melville in Balabac, Palawan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command (Wescom) said.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the Wescom said its Littoral Monitoring Station (LMS) Melville extended humanitarian assistance such as shelter and food to the following crew of the distressed vessel MV Dolphin 15.

• Dang Van Minh - Ship Captain
• Le Phu Tri
• Truong Ngoc Dieu
• Pham Van Chung
• Nguyen Tat Minh
• Nguyen Van Truong
• Tran Van Ba
• Truong Van Trung
• Nguyen Van Luan
• Bui Nguyen Thanh
• Nguyen Van Tuan
• Pham Van Loi
• Bui Ngoc Long
• Tran Van Ngoc
• Phan Hai Duong
• Nguyen Van Canh
• Pham The Hung

They also received medical and immigration assistance through the local government in Balabac.

On December 21, MV Dolphin 15, which came from Tacloban going to Ho Chi Minh, radioed LMS Melville and requested to take shelter and anchor in the area due to bad weather and sea conditions.

On December 26, MV Dolphin 15 told the station that they repositioned because their anchor was being dragged due to strong wind and current.

According to the LMS Melville, MV Dolphin 15 repositioned near the shallow portion.

MV Dolphin 15 informed LMS Melville that they are awaiting the arrival of their sister company ship MV Victoria 19 for a towing operation and that the crew onboard are all safe and well.

On December 27, MV Dolphin 15 told the station that they intend to temporarily abandon their vessel as a safety precaution due to the possibility that the ship might be tilted.

The Vietnamese vessel also requested a sheltering area for their crew while waiting for the arrival of MV Victoria 19, the Wescom said.

"Notwithstanding our duty as protector of the Philippine territory and sovereign rights, your Western Command, as a good neighbor, is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to whoever and whenever it is needed," Wescom commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Wescom said LMS Melville monitored that MV Victoria 19 was anchored at the vicinity of Matangule Island in Balabac.  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News