Cavite boat sinking probed

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has started its investigation into the sinking of a fishing boat some three nautical miles from Ternate town in Cavite last Wednesday.

Commander Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said they would look into two cargo vessels that could have possibly collided with F/B Dan Israel-G moments before it sank.

“We already summoned the captains of M/V Ocean Hope and M/V Galaxy Kalikasan to appear before the investigation of PCG-NCR (National Capital Region),” he said in a text message.

This developed as divers of the PCG’s Special Operations Group have recovered the body of another fisherman, Ronald Undap, near the site where the boat capsized.

So far, the bodies of five fishermen have been recovered, as the PCG continues to search for five more missing fishermen from the boat that carried 23 fishermen.

Earlier, the bodies of Jojo Cumbilla, Vincent de la Cruz, Romnick Rosales and Ruben Ursal had been recovered.

PCG officials earlier said the missing fishermen could have been trapped in the sunken vessel.

Survivors said some of their fellow fishermen were asleep when the collision occurred.