Filipino Navy sailor killed at sea

The fatal collision over the weekend between a US Navy destroyer and a Philippine-flagged merchant ship off the coast of Japan.

Among the dead is a Filipino sailor from the San Diego, California area.

Seven sailors died when the USS Fitzgerald collided with the ACX Crystal.

Pinoy Navy man Carlos Victor Sibayan of Chula Vista was among the seven fatalities.

According to his Facebook page, Sibayan, who grew up in Southern California is from Pasig City.

The 23-year-old has been in the navy for four years, spending the last 3 in Japan.

Sibayan’s Facebook wall has served as a virtual memorial, where many friends and family have left their condolences and fond memories, remembering him for his sense of humor, as well as thanking him for his service.

According to local reports, Sibayan comes from a family of service. His father has recently retired from the military.

“He is, in every sense of the word, he’s my hero,” said his mother Carmen Sibayan. “We just borrowed this time from God. So now he has to go back.”