Chinese Vessel Grounds Along Tubbataha Reef
Ten days after removal of the ill-fated USS Guardian from the Tubbataha Reef [pictured above], a Chinese-flagged fishing vessel has now reportedly ran aground along the northern part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site late Monday evening (April 8).
Commodore Enrico Evangelista of Philippine Coast Guard District Palawan said that based on the report given by the Tubbataha Management Office, a fishing vessel as “being Chinese of origin” with marking “63168” and 12 crew members which are all Chinese Nationals got stuck in the reef’s north islet where the Ranger Station is located.
Upon receiving the report, the country’s maritime law enforcement agency immediately dispatched its search and rescue vessel BRP-Romblon (SARV-3503) early Tuesday morning to assess the current situation near the grounding site and to closely guard the distressed Chinese fishing vessel.
Officials and crew members of BRP-Romblon will turn over the 12 Chinese crew members to the regional office of the National Committee on Illegal Entrants in Palawan.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena has instructed PCG personnel to accord the fishermen proper treatment in accordance with law and attend to their basic needs while in the PCG's custody.
Last March 30 when the team led by Task Force Tubbataha headed by the PCG together with the US Navy contracted removed the stern portion which is the last remaining part of USS Guardian from the damage section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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