Sea mishap off Northern Cagayan: 22 North Korean survivors are legal aliens

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Authorities yesterday declared the 22 North Koreans who have survived from a sea accident off northern Cagayan the other day as legal aliens.

Cagayan Valley police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian said the foreigners were rescued ashore after their cargo ship carrying tons of magnetite ran aground off Cagayan along the South China Sea coast.

“The Korean nationals have the proper documents and they are staying in the country legally,” said Damian, amid speculations that the said foreigners were engaging in the reported illegal mining activities in the country’s northern coast.

Among the Koreans who survived from the possible tragedy were Chol Hwan Jong, Jong Choe, Kun Sik Choe, Jong Su Ri, Tong Kim, Chol Kim, Yong Min Ham, Kwang Su Choe, Man Jin Han, Chol Ho Pak, Chol Jon, Chol Ung Rim, Kwang Chol Jong, Ki Ung Jon, Chol Sun Han, Il Nam Jo, Hak Gwan An, Tong Il Kim, Chul Il Pak, Hae Yong Ro and Jong Gil Jang. 

The Koreans, who were transporting 2,165 metric tons of magnetite ore to China, have managed to extricate themselves from their troubled ship before dawn of Jan. 1.

Damian said the Koreans managed to abandon their vessel, M/V Nam Yang 8, through a lifeboat which brought them off Barangay Taggat Norte, Claveria town in the South China Sea coast.

“The vessel leaned on its left side due to its heavy load. The group was equipped with rescue equipment, including a huge life boat, enabling them to reach the shore,” he said.

Heavy load

The vessel, which took off at Aparri port Thursday, began to tilt to its left side while sailing towards the South China Sea, about six nautical miles away from Taggat Norte.

They reached Claveria shore around 7 a.m. or some three hours after their vessel started to give in due to heavy load.

“One of the vessel’s passengers was injured by the propeller of the ship while the 21 others are now in the custody of Barangay Taggat chairman Arsenio dela Peña,” Damian said.

It was learned that the North Korean vessel was washed ashore off Barangay Pasaleng in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

The magnetite ore, or the so-called black, which the Koreans have reportedly tried to ship out, has been the subject of controversy as to the legality of its extraction off the Cagayan northern coast.

No magnetite mining

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recently assured that no magnetite mining activities were being conducted along the province’s northern shore as claimed by anti-mining activists.

The MGB’s assurance came as environmentalists called on the government to probe the alleged illegal mining of magnetite along Cagayan’s coastline despite an order of then Environment Secretary Lito Atienza for the suspension of the said mining activity in the area.

The mining or dredging activities in the area, the Church-supported anti-mining advocates claimed, further exposed the residents to flashfloods and other forms of environmental degradation.

A rich resource in northern Cagayan, magnetite or black sand, which command a high price in foreign markets, is used as additive for high strength concrete and steel, such as for building foundations and for making magnets, paint, ink, paper, jewelry and cosmetics. – With Artemio Dumlao