May 16, 2023
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The seven Chinese nationals who were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Jan. 27 from a distressed supply vessel near Suluan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, have been allowed to return to their homeland after 63 days.
They were rescued on Mar. 31 by the PCG Station Eastern Leyte at Tacloban Port Anchorage Area and identified as He Cheng Sun, Chen Zhe Nei, Lei Deng Zai, Tong Yat Sun, Liu Jian Ping, Mak Pak Lam, Shi Nun Yu, and have been guarded by PCG personnel since.
They were subjected to medical tests as well as Covid-19 testing before being handed over to Mr Randy Mendoza of the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) regional intelligence unit for repatriation back to China.
The crew’s vessel was damaged by strong waves and drifted off Suluan Island for four days before being discovered. The PCG suspected them of being fishermen because their vessel was classified as a supply vessel rather than a fishing boat.
It took some time to identify them because they didn’t have passports or seaman’s passbooks with them and couldn’t communicate in English; this was done with an interpreter provided by the PCG.
The embassy requested the Philippine government’s assistance deporting these crew members without providing any information about their possible criminal activities.
Reference: Manila Bulletin, Inquirer.net
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