12 Vietnamese fisherman rescued after boat sinks

Times Live, Friday, July 29,2011

A Philippine fishing boat rescued 12 Vietnamese fishermen whose vessel sank in the country's western waters, says a navy spokesmen.

The Vietnamese fishermen were found on Thursday off Roxas town in Palawan province, 630 kilometres south-west of Manila, said Lieutenant Colonel Omar Tonsay, a spokesman at the navy headquarters.

"The rescued Vietnamese appear to be in good physical condition," he said.

The rescued man told investigators they were fishing in Malaysian waters when their boat encountered engine trouble and they began to drift, said Lieutenant Noel Cadigal, a regional navy spokesman.

Cadigal added that according to the Vietnamese, their boat eventually sank while they were taking shelter near the Philippine coast from bad weather.

They were found stranded on a rocky outcrop by local fishermen, who turned them over to the navy on Friday.

The spokesman said authorities were verifying the fishermen's accounts and determining if they trespassed into Philippine territory and were fishing illegally.

www.timeslive.co.za

Deaths from rains hit 59; landslide sensors stolen

By: Victor Reyes
Malaya, Thursday 20 January 2011

THE death toll from weeks of continuous heavy rains in 11 regions yesterday rose to 59 from 54, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Also yesterday, the Navy rescued 34 passengers and crewmen of a boat that capsized in Palawan on January 16.

Three crewmen remain missing. This brings to 35 the total number of missing persons.

The NDRRMC reported that a landslide sensor installed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in landslide-prone St. Bernard town in Leyte was stolen two days ago.

A week ago, two river sensors of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration in Pangasinan and Tarlac were also stolen, compromising the government’s monitoring of flooding.

"We may not be able to issue warning on landslides," said Benito Ramos, NDRRMC executive director and head of the Office of Civil Defense, when asked on the effect of the theft of the landslide sensor.

The NDRRMC said the number affected people also increased to 323,149 families or 1,650,754 individuals, with 12,523 families staying in evacuation centers.

There was also a slight rise in damage to infrastructure, agriculture and private property, now at P1.78 billion.

The five new fatalities recorded by the NDRRMC were victims of drowning.

The vessel F/B Jonathan capsized off Paly island in Taytay town because of strong winds and turbulent water.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said the Navy’s BRP Rizal reached the area yesterday and found the 34 rescued "clinging to the debris of the boat."

The three missing were identified as Bong Escondo, Bito Roldan and Limuel Tirincio.

The Philippine Red Cross appealed for donations amid the continuous heavy rains and flooding and for the effects of the La Niña phenomenon, which means more rains than normal.

PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang said needed are mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, tents, rice, sardines, noodles, toothbrush and toothpaste, bath soap, sanitary napkins, shampoo, towels, and medicinal alcohol. – With Gerard Naval

P1.4-M Trocas shells seized at Zambo port

By: Nonoy E Lacson

Tempo, Friday, 12 November 2010

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Some P1.4 million worth of banned shells was intercepted at a local wharf here by operatives of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

Commodore Orwen Cortez, NFWM commander, said the shipment of the Trocas shells was intercepted by his men around 1 a.m. Wednesday at a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan in this city.

He said the shipment was seized after concerned citizen informed his command on the arrival in this city of the banned shell aboard a motor launch coming from Palawan.

Cortez said the Trocas shells packed in 70 sacks with an estimated volume of 9,100 kilos were

found inside M/L Kimberbie.

Trocas shells can only be found in Tubbataha, Palawan, which has been declared as one of the protected areas in the country. The national government has banned the gathering of Trocas shell as it is listed as one of the endangered marine species.

"This type of shell has ornamental value. It is used for making buttons for high-end clothing," Cortez said.

Violators of the ban face 12 to 20 years of imprisonment with corresponding fines.

The confiscated Trocas shells would be turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for appropriate action while NFWM would pursue charges against the owner of M/L Kimberbie.

Banned Shell Products Seized

By: Nonoy E Lacson

Manila Bulletin, Friday, 12 November 2010

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Some P1.4 million worth of banned shell products was intercepted at a

local wharf here by operatives of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM).

Commodore Orwen Cortez, NFWM commander, said the shipment of the Trocas shells was intercepted by his men around 1 a.m. Wednesday at a private wharf in Barangay Baliwasan in this city. He said this was made after a concerned citizen tipped off his command on the arrival in this city of the banned shells aboard a motor launch coming from Palawan.

Cortez said the Trocas shells packed in 70 sacks with an estimated volume of 9,100 kilos were loaded aboard M/L Kimberbie which dropped anchor coming from Palawan at a local port here. Trocas shells can only be found in Tubbataha, Palawan, which is declared as one of the protected areas in the Country.