MANILA, Philippines – Three Filipino fisherfolk died after an “unidentified commercial vessel” rammed a Filipino fishing boat passing through the waters off Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

According to an initial report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), a surviving crew member of the fishing boat Dearyn said their mother boat was rammed at around 4:30 am on Monday, October 2, while it was preparing to fish some 85 nautical miles northwest of the shoal. The mother boat sank, killing three of its crew members including its captain.