Taiwanese, ‘suspected’ Bangladeshi vessels collide in S.China Sea, says Philippines

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) — The Philippines said Wednesday that it had deployed a coast guard vessel to aid two ships that collided in the disputed South China Sea.

The incident involved a Taiwanese fishing vessel, the Sheng Feng No. 12, which collided with a “suspected” Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier on Tuesday night, off the province of Ilocos Sur in the northern Philippines, the country's Coast Guard said in a statement.

The bulk carrier had departed from Changshu city in eastern China and was on its way to the port of Muara Berau in Indonesia.

Taiwan Coast Guard Attache Commander Arthur Yang coordinated its response to the incident with the Philippines Coast Guard, "leading to the immediate deployment of BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) to assist the Taiwanese fishing vessel," the statement said.

It also noted that the bow of the Taiwanese vessel had been damaged and partly flooded with seawater, adding that its owners were asked to sail it to the nearest port in the northern Philippines for a damage assessment and to ensure the safety of its five Indonesian and two Taiwanese crew members.

Manila's statement did not mention the condition of the Bangladeshi bulk-carrier.