Hong Kong ship rescues 4 Filipino fishermen
MANILA, Philippines–Four Filipino fishermen were rescued by a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship in waters off Occidental Mindoro province on Wednesday, nearly a day after their motor boat capsized due to powerful winds generated by Typhoon Glenda, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday.
All safe
The Coast Guard’s Public Affairs Office identified the rescued fishermen as Antonio Bon, 36; Marjon Aballe, 21; Jaymar Selen, 18; and Arjay Mojeco, 18, all residents of Calangigan town, Occidental Mindoro.
“They are all safe and in good condition,” said Cmdr. Armand Balilo, spokesperson for the Coast Guard.
“[On] July 15, the fishermen were on their way home from a fishing trip in Busuanga, northern Palawan, when they encountered huge waves, which damaged their fishing boat’s outrigger,” Balilo said.
“Before the fishing boat sank, the fishermen managed to cling on to the boat’s broken outrigger. Fortunately, the crew of a passing cargo vessel later spotted them and rescued them,” he said.
Food and clothing
The crew of the MV Pacific Pioneer provided the Filipino fishermen with food and clothing.
When the vessel reached Manila’s South Harbor, the crew turned over the fishermen to the Coast Guard, Balilo said.
The Coast Guard station in Batangas province has been tasked to “provide the fishermen transportation in going back to their respective families” in Mindoro, he said.
The Coast Guard cited the 23,274-ton Pacific Pioneer, operated by Charterluck Enterprises Ltd., and its crew for rescuing the Filipino fishermen, Balilo said.
