Officer dies as ship runs aground off Ilocos Sur

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur -- An officer of a Singaporean cargo ship reportedly died of heart attack when their vessel ran aground in the waters off his province July 17, the Philippine Coast Guard reported.

PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo identified the fatality as Henry Libo-on, chief mate of the M/V Alam Manis.

Aside from Libo-on, the vessel had 20 other officers and crew onboard. All are Filipinos led by their captain, Orlando Cabalatungan.

Reports reaching the PCG headquarters said the vessel came from Surigao and was headed for China to deliver nickel ore.

Officers of the PCG sub-station Darigayos in La Union said they were informed at about 5:30 p.m. that the M/V AlamManis ran aground off the coast of Sta. Lucia in Ilocos Sur.

They said they immediately sent a search and rescue team to the area.

A tugboat, T/B Salviscount, was assisting the officers and crew of the vessel when the team arrived.

By 10:30 p.m. all officers and crew of the AlamManis were rescued and brought to the Port of San Fernando in La Union.

PCG Northwestern Luzon district commander Capt. LeovigildoPanopio said strong winds and huge waves spawned by the southwest monsoon dragged the vessel toward the shallow part of the sea.

“Our divers and Marine Environment Protection Unit teams remained in the area to check the possibility of an oil spill but they could not get close to the vessel due to rough sea condition. So far no spill has been detected,” Panopio said. – With reports from Jun Elias, RaymundCatindig