Coast Guard joins search for crew of Panamanian vessel off Batanes

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has joined the search for crewmen of a Panamanian cargo vessel that sank off Batanes on Wednesday. The state-run Philippines News Agency (PNA) said the Panamanian cargo vessel, “Masco Diamond," was heading toward Indonesia from China and had 25 Chinese aboard. PCG spokesman Cmdr. Armando Balilo said contact was lost with the cargo vessel at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, with its last location northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. The PCG has approved the request of the 11th Regional Japan Coast Guard Operations Center to allow the entry of a Japanese P-3C Orion plane into the Philippine area of responsibility for the aerial search. The PCG sent vessels BRP EDSA-Dos (SARV-002) and BRP-Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502) to conduct SAR operations upon receiving the the alert message. Its Aviation Group (CGAC) also deployed one of its twin engine islander plane (PCG-251) to conduct regular aerial survey in the waters of Batanes. – VVP, GMANews.TV