MANILA – An official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday the sea collision incident off the waters of Pangasinan on Monday was most likely an accident with no signs of involvement of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) or its maritime militia vessels.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said the survivors’ testimonies indicate that the incident was unlikely to be deliberate.

“Sila rin mismo yung nagsasabi na in this particular time na nangyari ito, masyadong madilim ang area, pangit ang panahon. So, there’s a possibility na hindi nga sila napansin (The survivors said that during that particular time, the area was very dark and the weather was bad. So, there is a possibility that they weren’t noticed),” Tarriela said.

He clarified that the incident happened in waters near Pangasinan and was outside the waters of Bajo de Masinloc, contrary to earlier reports.

“If you’re going to plot the area kung saan nabangga itong ating mga mangingisda, ito ay may distansya na 180 nautical miles from Agno, Pangasinan. So, mas malapit siya sa Pangasinan kesa Bajo de Masinloc (If you’re going to plot the area where the collision happened, it’s about 180 nautical miles from Agno, Pangasinan. So, they were nearer to Pangasinan than Bajo de Masinloc),” Tarriela said.

He also dismissed speculations that China was involved in the incident.

“It’s not deliberately rammed, as what was speculated by some. At hindi ito CCG and maritime militia (And this was not done by the CCG and maritime militia),” he said.

To date, he said, the port state control of the suspect ship, Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker Pacific Anna, has been contacted by the PCG for coordination regarding the investigation.

“We have already coordinated with them for them to be subject to a much more thorough investigation and to confirm kung ang barko na ito ay dumaan sa area na sinasabi ng mga mangingisda in the specific time and date na nilahad din nila (whether this ship was the one identified by fishermen to be in the area at the time and date of the incident),” he said.

If the tanker is found to be liable, he said the PCG would coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs for further action.

“Kumbaga saan naka-register yung barko to help us in ascertaining yung liability claims sa may-ari ng barko na ito (Where the ship is registered to help us ascertain the liability claims of the ship’s owner),” he said.

At about 4:20 a.m. Monday, the Filipino fishing boat FFB Dearyn carrying six of its crew members was moored at its payao when a foreign vessel rammed the boat, causing it to capsize.

The incident resulted in the death of three fishers while the survivors were eventually picked up by the eight other crew members who were out fishing when the incident occurred. (PNA)