By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – Five Filipino fisherfolk were rescued in waters off Spratlys in Vietnam waters, while three more remain missing after their fishing boat was rammed by an unknown vessel in the vicinity of Lubang Island on Jan. 30.
In a situation report on Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the fisherfolk were onboard their fishing boat FBCA Prince Elmo 2 from Naic, Cavite, and were planning to fish in waters off Lubang Island when they were rammed at around 8 p.m.
The five fisherfolk who were on the bow of the boat were rescued by MV Dong An at 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 16 and were later transferred to the PCG’s BRP Boracay 2 in the vicinity waters off Corregidor Island on Wednesday.
“Through the coordination of PCG Station Bataan with John Sayao of Atiko Trans Incorporated, agent of MV Dong An, the five fishermen were successfully received by BRP Boracay,” the PCG said.
All five have since been found physically well after a medical briefing by the PCG.
They were turned over to PCG Sub-station Naic and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Naic personnel at 8:53 a.m. on Wednesday.
The identity of the vessel that rammed their boat is still under investigation. (PNA)
