PCG, TECO working for repatriation of Taiwanese boat’s crewmembers  

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is coordinating with the Indonesian embassy and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) for the repatriation of seven crew members of a Taiwanese fishing boat that figured in an alleged collision with a Bangladesh-flagged bulk a on Dec. 12.

In a statement, PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo explained that investigation into the alleged collision incident would be left to the Taiwanese and Indonesian governments, since the reported incident took place in international waters.a

The PCG earlier said the collision took place some 77 nautical miles off Candon, Ilocos Sur at 9 p.m. on Dec. 12.

The five Indonesians and two Taiwanese crew of fishing boat Sheng Feng No. 12 are currently in PCG custody.

The bulk carrier that came from Changshu, China on its way to Muara Berau, Indonesia is still being identified.

The PCG station in Ilocos Sur learned about the alleged collision after Commander Arthur Yang, attaché of the Taiwan Coast Guard, requested the PCG to assist Sheng Feng No. 12.

The PCG deployed BRP Malapascua and reportedly saw that the bow of the Taiwanese fishing boat was damaged.

The boat was towed to Salomague Port, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.