The Philippine Coast Guard has confirmed that 13 Filipino fishermen have gone missing after their vessel sank in the waters off Zambales province, on Thursday, November 7.
The fishing boat FFB Three Sister had been sailing from Reed Bank in the northeastern Spratly Islands to Mariveles in Bataan province when rough weather caused by Tropical Cyclone Nakri caused it to sink near Scarborough Shoal at approximately 03:00 local time on Thursday.
It was only after eyewitnesses had spotted a lone individual drifting on a container near Scarborough Shoal on Monday, November 11, that Philippine authorities finally learned of the incident.
The crews of the coast guard patrol vessels BRP Tubbataha, BRP Capones, and BRP Boracay then immediately came to the aid of the individual, who has since been identified as a crewmember on FFB Three Sister.
The survivor recounted that he became separated from the 13 other crewmembers when their vessel sank. He remained adrift at sea for four days until he was picked up by the coast guard.
The Philippine Coast Guard is set to begin coordinating with the China Coast Guard on the continuing search for the missing fishermen.
