A 28-year-old Filipino deck cadet, Ralph Anthony Bobiles, has been reported missing from the Panama-flagged vessel Prestige Ace while en route to Baltimore, USA. The incident occurred on December 5, with Ralph last seen during a mid-morning break. In a DZGBNewsOnline report, his father, Elias Bobiles Jr., Barangay Captain of Brgy San Roque, Tabaco City, suspects foul play and negligence, raising concerns over the ship’s officers failing to report Ralph’s absence until nearly seven hours later.
According to a Statement of Fact from the Mexican government, Ralph participated in a morning toolbox meeting at 6:45 a.m. before beginning his assigned duties on the 200-meter car carrier transporting luxury vehicles. During a 10 a.m. break, he was last seen heading toward his cabin, but his absence went unnoticed when work resumed at 10:20 a.m. By noon, Ralph had not appeared for lunch, and no search was initiated until 5:05 p.m., when a crew member finally reported him missing.
Elias described the ordeal as a nightmare, asserting that Ralph had no known issues or enemies and dismissed the possibility of suicide. The family is now awaiting updates on the investigation, with Elias seeking to visit the ship to monitor the case’s progress personally.
