US warship sinks 2 fishing boats

MANILA, Philippines - A departing US warship figured in a sea mishap with two fishing boats in Subic Bay just days after the alleged murder of a Filipino transgender by an American serviceman in Olongapo City.

The two fishing boats sank after being rammed by USS Stethem, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer with 300 officers and crew.

The Stethem was allowed to leave after the fishermen opted not to file a complaint in lieu of an assurance from American officials that the US Navy, through the US embassy, will shoulder the cost of damage and their medical expenses.

The victims were identified as Orlito Cocjin, Julie Mendez and Pampilo Bacsal, all of Barangay Barretto, Olongapo City.

A Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA) report said the US warship was sailing out of Subic Bay after being towed and pushed by SBMA tugboats Ilonga and Aguila out of Rivera Pier when the ship hit the motorized fishing boat with a paddleboat in tow in the waters off Kinabukasan, Subic.

The fishing boats were badly damaged and capsized as a result of the impact, the SMBA said.

The three fishermen jumped into the water immediately after the impact and were plucked out by US sailors aboard the Stethem.

Aboard the motorized boat were Cocjin and Mendez. Bacsal was manning the paddleboat.

The report also said that after setting out towards the open sea from port, USS Stethem sailed without a “picket boat” escort, which is a must for departing vessels at Subic Bay.

Global Terminal and Development Inc., the shipping agent of USS Stethem, is likely to face sanctions both from the SMBA and the US Navy as per published reports by the Subic Bay News, quoting the SMBA’s Law Enforcement Department.

Except for USS Peleliu where US serviceman Joseph Scott Pemberton, prime suspect in the killing of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, is being detained, all other US warships left Subic Bay the other day.

Given clearance were USS Germantown, a landing dock ship; USNS Washington Chamber, a dry cargo ship; and MV Westpact Express.