Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday dispatched two vessels and two aircraft for the search and rescue (SAR) of the remaining missing Filipino crew of a capsized foreign cargo vessel in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) before dawn on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PCG Command Center received confirmation from the K-Line Roro Bulk Ship Management Co., Ltd., the ship's agency, that 17 individuals have been rescued by a passing China Coast Guard vessel, while four crew members remained missing.

In a situation report, the PCG stated that the vessel, M/V Devon Bay, a Singaporean-flagged general cargo ship, was loaded with iron ore and manned by 21 Filipino crew members when it departed Gutalac, Zamboanga del Sur, en route to Yangjiang, China. It was later reported to be listing at around 25 degrees.

The search for the remaining missing Filipino mariners is ongoing. Earlier in the day, the Chinese Embassy in Manila reported that the foreign cargo vessel had capsized 55 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc in the WPS.

The rescue operation was conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which obliges all states to require their ships to assist persons in distress at sea, including while on passage along other coastal states' maritime zones or jurisdictions.

The PCG noted that the last known position of the distress vessel is within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, where all ships may pass under high seas freedom of navigation as accorded by the UNCLOS. However, it clarified that such freedom of navigation does not allow law enforcement patrols by foreign vessels.

The PCG continues to closely monitor the situation and remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of the remaining crew members.