The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed on Sunday that the death toll from the sinking of the MV Hong Hai 16 near Barangay Malawaan, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro has risen to 9.
According to Lt. Jr. Grade Kenneth Bongabong, Commander of PCG Occidental Mindoro, two are still missing and search and rescue operations are still ongoing. “Since the accident, 9 have been confirmed dead and 2 are still missing,” he said in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.
The ship had 25 crew members – 13 Filipinos and 12 Chinese nationals. The names of the deceased have not been released until relatives have been contacted.
The incident occurred on Holy Tuesday while the ship was dredging sand about 100 meters from the shore of Barangay Malawaan.
The search continues using underwater search and seaborn patrol. There is also assistance from DENR for shoreline operations, especially if there is an oil spill at sea.
On Saturday, the Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro announced that Bluemax Tradelink, Inc., the company that dredged the Lumintao River, would cease operations. According to Gov. Eduardo Gadiano, they will issue a cease-and-desist order on Monday and he also ordered the ship's owner, Keen Peak Corp., to begin removing MV Hong Hai 16 from the area.
