Ramming that caused 1 dead, 4 missing Filipinos ‘only an accident’

MANILA, Philippines—National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Benito Ramos said Tuesday in an interview with John Susi over Radyo Inquirer that the ramming incident off the West Philippine Sea, involving a fishing boat from Bolinao, Pangasinan and an international vessel last week, appears to only be an “accident.”

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos. FILE PHOTO

Ramos said that initial investigation show that the vessel, which allegedly bears the mark “Hong Kong” and some Chinese characters on its stern, was too large to even feel that it rammed and destroyed the “small” AXL John fishing boat that was adrift in the waters of Bolinao town on June 20.

“Parang hampas lang yan ng alon dun sa barkong malaki (It’s like wave splashing on the big ship),” he said, adding that it “wasn’t intentional” and that the incident has nothing to do with the dispute over the Scarborough Shoal.

The incident left one fisherman killed.

Search and rescue operations have resumed for the four other fishermen who remained missing, he said.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.