By Gabriela Baron
Five Filipinos were among those 39 persons who died in a capsized Chinese ship in the Indian Ocean last week, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced Wednesday, May 24.
In a statement, the PCG expressed its condolences to the bereaved families of those who perished on board a Chinese fishing vessel that sank last week.
“We are saddened by this development. Since day one, we have been monitoring and coordinating with the Australian Maritime Rescue Center and the Chinese Embassy as to the progress of the search and rescue [SAR] operations,” PCG Spokesperson CG Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said.
Balilo also recognizes the efforts of the Australian and Chinese SAR teams that conducted operations in the Indian Ocean.
Several Chinese SAR teams remain in the said vicinity waters.
READ MORE: 5 Pinoys reported missing after boat capsizes in Indian Ocean
-ag