By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY — A Philippine Navy vessel rescued a fisherman who had been drifting at sea for two days after his boat capsized near Tawi-Tawi, the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) reported Thursday.
Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila Jr., NFWM commander, identified the fisherman as Roco Sambas, 40, a resident of Barangay Tandu Banak, Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi.
Sambas was found on Wednesday clinging to a piece of styrofoam approximately 6.4 nautical miles north of Andulingan Island, Sitangkai, by the crew of BRP-Jose Loor Sr. (PC390), who were conducting a maritime security patrol.
“The crew spotted the man clinging to a piece of styrofoam and quickly took action,” Tagamolila said, adding that they threw a life ring to Sambas and safely brought him aboard.
Sambas told the Navy personnel that his fishing boat capsized on Monday while he was fishing near Sibutu Island, leaving him stranded in the open sea.
The PC390 crew provided Sambas with dry clothes, hot food, coffee, and first aid for minor injuries. Tagamolila said Sambas is in stable condition and receiving care from the ship’s personnel.
The official emphasized the rescue highlights the Navy’s commitment to saving lives and responding to emergencies, underscoring their readiness to ensure public safety and support disaster response operations. (PNA)
