Vietnam boat yields no contraband after rescue

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines—The boat of a group of Vietnamese fishermen, who were rescued by the Philippine Navy on Sunday, did not yield any contraband and the rescued foreigners are now awaiting return to their country.

On Sunday, a Philippine Navy patrol ship rescued the Vietnamese fishermen who came from Quay Ngai, Vietnam, and suffered engine trouble at sea near the Discovery Great Reef in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine naval ship, BRP Ismael Lomibao (PG383), reported that the distressed Vietnamese vessel had been drifting “dead in the water” for four days when it was found some 10 nautical miles off Bugsok Island.

The vessel’s distress signal was picked up by a local fishing boat, FB Gelnico, which relayed an alert signal to the Philippine Coast Guard.

Naval spokesperson Lt. Noel Cadigal said the vessel and its crew would remain at the BCI Conveyor Pier in Balabac while awaiting clearance from authorities and the repair of its vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard, which inspected the vessel, said there was no “contraband” found. The crew was brought to the municipal health center for a medical checkup.