Missing fishermen near Panatag Shoal found

MANILA, Philippines - After finding five fishermen who went missing last week near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Zambales reported two more Filipino fishermen  missing near the disputed waters last Tuesday.

But PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said late yesterday the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) found the two fishermen also yesterday.

Marine authorities learned about the two missing fishermen on Nov. 29, the same day they received a report about the rescue of five others lost at sea on Nov. 21, eight days after they went fishing at the shoal.

The latest two fishermen to get rescued were identified as Morrey Sierra, 45, and Lloyd Akeiot, 37, both residents of Palauig town in Zambales province.

According to Balilo, the PCG sought the help of the CCG in finding the two Filipino fishermen, like what it did for the five fishermen who earlier went missing.

Balilo said the CCG picked up Sierra and Akeiot while conducting its own sea patrol at the disputed Panatag Shoal, also called Bajo de Masinloc.

Both the Philippines and China are laying claim to Panatag Shoal, located about 124 nautical miles west of Zambales and within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).  

Since 2014, Chinese coast guard ships have been patrolling the shoal.

Balilo said the PCG sent out on Nov. 30 its islander plane for an aerial search for the two fishermen and dispatched its main vessel, BRP Tubbataha, to the shoal yesterday.

The PCG has also issued a Notice to Mariners to alert those passing through the shoal to be on the lookout for the two fishermen and help them once they find them.

Balilo said the PCG’s Tubbataha was set to meet the CCG ship yesterday to pick up Sierra and Akeiot.

Meanwhile, the five fishermen who earlier went missing were reportedly on board the fishing boat Antalan Tabat when it left for Panatag Shoal last Nov. 13. But it reportedly suffered engine trouble last Nov. 21, some 30 nautical miles off the shoal.

Balilo identified the five rescued fishermen as: Jack Tabat, 44; Jimmy Tabat; 44; Jessie Aparreci, 29; Bimboo Requinto, 21 and Allan Rivera, 19, all of Riverside Lipay, Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

The five were in good physical condition, the PCG reported. 

A fishing boat named Angel rescued and towed them back to Sta. Cruz port.