By Priam Nepomuceno

HELP IS HERE. A crewmember of the Philippine Navy patrol ship, BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC-380), is seen communicating with South Korean passenger vessel, Udosarang 1, which experienced mechanical problems while navigating the waters of Burgos town, Ilocos Norte on Feb. 5, 2025. The Navy ship and its crew escorted the passenger ship to Sual, Pangasinan for repairs. (Photo courtesy of NFNL)  

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) patrol ship BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC-380) has rendered assistance to a South Korean passenger vessel that experienced some mechanical problems while sailing in the waters of Ilocos Norte province.

In a statement on Friday, the PN said the vessel Udosarang 1 and was navigating the waters of Burgos town when it experienced a mechanical malfunction around 9 a.m. on Feb. 5.

Upon learning of the emergency, the PN said the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), the unit responsible for those waters, immediately deployed the BRP Nestor Reinoso to assist the South Korean vessel.

The patrol vessel is under NFNL’s Naval Task Force 11.

“The emergency alert was monitored by the Maritime Situation Awareness Center – North (MSAC-N) and Naval Monitoring Detachment Pasuquin (NMD Pasuquin). This derangement restricted its ability to maneuver, prompting this Command (NFNL) to take immediate action. After establishing contact with the vessel, PC-380 escorted Udosarang 1 to Sual, Pangasinan, where it could safely fix its mechanical malfunction,” the Navy said.

It added that nine Filipino crew members of the Udosarang 1 were safe and encountered no other problems. (PNA)