17 rescued Filipino seafarers transferred to Philippine

17 rescued Filipino seafarers transferred to Philippine
Pia Lee-Brago - January 26, 2026 https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/01/26/2503528/17-rescued-filipin...

The Chinese Embassy in Manila shared the emotional reunion of the rescued Filipino crew members of the cargo vessel that capsized near Scarborough Shoal on January 23, 2026.
MANILA, Philippines — The China Coast Guard transferred yesterday the 15 survivors and two casualties of a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel that capsized near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Chinese embassy in Manila said.

“Seventeen people have been successfully rescued, two of which ended up losing their lives. Four individuals remain unaccounted for,” the embassy said.

Two Filipino sailors died while four are still missing after M/V Devon Bay, with 21 Filipino crewmembers, capsized on Friday.

China said its coast guard rescued the Filipino sailors.

In a statement, the PCG said the turnover of the 15 survivors and two casualties took place at approximately 168 nautical miles west of Tambobong, Pangasinan.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua went to the rendezvous point and received the 17 crewmembers.

PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab extended the Coast Guard’s appreciation to the CCG for the humanitarian assistance and cooperation in ensuring safety of life at sea.

“BRP Teresa Magbanua is scheduled to arrive at Pier 13, Port Area, Manila in the early morning of Jan. 26, 2026,” Cayabyab said.

She said they are still searching for the four missing crew of the ill-fated cargo ship.

The BRP Cape San Agustin and PCG Islander aircraft continue search and rescue (SAR) operations to locate the missing crew members.

The Philippine Navy said SAR efforts are focused near Scarborough Shoal, with rescue operations also continuing for the missing motor banca Amejara – a tourist recreational boat carrying 16 passengers which went missing on Jan. 19. The Navy deployed its naval aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air C90, to conduct maritime air surveillance over the Philippine-Indonesia maritime border, aiming to detect possible survivors and debris.

Manila acknowledged the rescue of Filipino sailors, but underlined that humanitarian assistance does not override sovereign rights.

The PCG maintained that the last known position of M/V Devon Bay was within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone where all ships may pass under high seas freedom of navigation as accorded by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.

It added that such freedom, however, does not allow law enforcement patrols by foreign vessels.(Evelyn Macairan)