Though it had called off its search for the missing crew and passengers of the fishing vessel Liberty 5, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) told their families on Wednesday that there was still “a possibility that they are alive,” as it vowed to hold responsible the Chinese crew involved in the June 28 collision off the coast of Occidental Mindoro. “It is too early for us to say that they are dead. They remain missing,” said Vice Adm. George Ursabia Jr., PCG commandant, in a meeting with the families of the 14 collision casualties and representatives of vessel owner Irma Fishing and Trading Inc.

Yee, J. (2020, July 9). Hopes remain for 14 fishermen. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.