DFA: Search on for 7 Filipinos aboard capsized Brunei fishing boat

MANILA, Philippines  – There were seven Filipinos crew members of a fishing vessel that capsized off the coast of Brunei last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.

In a statement, the DFA said it is actively monitoring developments regarding the sinking of Brunei-flagged fishing vessel Radims 2.

“Since then, Brunei’s National Search and Rescue Coordination Committee has sought assistance from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in locating missing crew members,” the DFA added.

The DFA said two of the crew members, whose nationalities have not been specified, were already been rescued.

Ambassador Christopher Montero said the Philippine Embassy in Brunei is closely coordinating with local authorities for updates on its joint search and rescue operations with Malaysia.

Citing reports from the embassy’s Philippine Overseas Labor Office, the DFA said that the owner of the vessel’s last communication with the captain of Radims 2 was on Wednesday, August 7. /gsg