Death toll of capsized ship off Mindoro now 2; PCG searching for survivors

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said one Filipino was confirmed dead from the ship that capsized off the coast of Rizal in Occidental Mindoro, bringing the death toll to two.

“We just recently recovered a cadaver and was later identified by the captain,” PCG District Southern Tagalog Commander Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla said.

Authorities earlier said the ship was preparing to depart for Manila with a cargo of sand at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday when it suddenly tilted and capsized. The incident shocked residents of Barangay Malawaan in Rizal town, who witnessed the vessel sink from the shore.

“Ganon na yung barko, tumakbo kami sa may railing. Sabi ko sa kadete at isang AV… dito kayo pag ganyan sa barko… sa nandito ang railing sa main deck, lipat hawak kami dito… pagtalon namin, nagagun na barko,” recalled Chief Engineer Manuel Arong, one of the survivors.

(The ship was already moving, tilting toward the railing. I told a cadet and another apprentice, 'Come here when the ship is like this… Here, by the railing on the main deck.' We moved and held on here. When we jumped, the ship was already going down.)

According to a 24 Oras report by Bam Alegre on Wednesday, the MV Hong Hai 16 had 25 crew members onboard—13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese nationals—according to both the PCG and the local government. So far, eight Chinese and six Filipinos have been rescued. The first reported fatality was a Chinese crewman who was declared dead on arrival at San Jose District Hospital.

Among those rescued was the ship's Filipino captain, who declined to issue a statement, and Arong, who recounted the sinking happened so fast.

Authorities are still searching for seven Filipinos and three Chinese crew members who remain missing. PCG divers have been conducting underwater searches since Tuesday evening.

“‘Yung mga divers natin sir, at present, since yesterday, they are doing underwater operations. Going around, knocking the hull for possible signs of life,” he said.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan asked about a report that there were allegedly responses to their knocking.

“When they went back to knock again, wala na, sir… But we are also considering na dahil naka-upright siya, may possible debris na tumatama along the ano sir— katawan ng barko,” Tuvilla explained.

(When they went back to knock again, there was no response anymore. But we are also considering that since it’s upright, there could be debris hitting the ship’s hull.) 

“Focus on recovery. Assume that they are still alive. You do things as fast as you can and maintain the preventive measures,” Gavan instructed during a briefing with rescue teams.

At past 2 p.m. Wednesday, the body of the Filipino crew member was recovered near the vessel. PCG and local government officials also conducted a visual inspection of the site by speedboat.

“Wala na (there’s none),” Gavan said when asked if there was a risk the vessel might fully submerge.

“Kasi naka-touch bottom na ’yan,” added Tuvilla.

(The ship has already touched the bottom of the seabed.) 

The capsized ship has since been surrounded by oil spill booms as a precaution, even though it was not carrying crude oil. Officials say any automotive oil onboard would likely evaporate into the air.

According to the PCG, the Hong Hai 16 is a Filipino-flagged vessel—“this vessel is not a Chinese vessel,” clarified Lieutenant Commander Michael Johne Encina, PCG Deputy Spokesperson. Initial reports identified the ship as a Chinese ship.

Initial investigation revealed the vessel was contracted by Keen Peak Corporation, a partner of Blue Max Corporation, which has a legal permit to dredge sand in the area. The dredging was reportedly part of flood-mitigation efforts for Rizal and nearby provinces.

“Nag laman [ng] 7,400 cubic meters ng buhangin, and then pag turn around sabi ng Chinese, pag ikot tumagilid agad, from there bumaligtad barko,” said Blue Max spokesperson Gary Valera.

(It was carrying 7,400 cubic meters of sand, and then during the turnaround, the Chinese crew said it tilted immediately when it turned—after that, the ship capsized.) 

Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano confirmed that the operation had legal clearance, having passed through multiple government agencies for approval.

“Members ng (of the) inter-agency… kasama (with) MGB, EMB, DENR Region at Region ng DPWH,” Gadiano noted.

Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities race against time to locate the 10 missing crew members.—with a report from Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News