Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, Metro Manila, August 20) — Each of the families of 12 Filipino fishermen and two other passengers reported missing after a collision between Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier and a Philippine fishing boat in Occidental Mindoro in June are slated to receive ₱1 million in compensation, the Philippine Coast Guard announced Thursday.
On June 27, M/V Vienna Wood collided several times with Filipino vessel Fishing Vessel (FV) Liberty 5 in the vicinity of Occidental Mindoro, leaving 14 Filipinos missing until today.
The offer is “highly acceptable” to the families, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant George Ursabia Jr. said in an online briefing, quoting the owner of the FV Liberty 5.
Ursabia added that M/V Vienna Wood will also pay ₱40 million to the FV Liberty 5 owner to cover the cost of the fishing vessel that capsized and sank.
“They have reached such kind of settlement,” Ursabia said, adding that both parties will formally settle the dispute at the PCG office in Manila on Monday.
Last month, the PCG filed a case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property against M/V Vienna Wood.
Based on its initial investigation, the PCG has said the collision was not deliberate. But the foreign crew members were found to have committed negligence, as it sent a distress call via email three hours after the incident.
CNN Philippines Correspondent David Santos contributed to this report
