Twenty-five local fishermen were rescued from a distressed motor banca in the waters off Laoang, Northern Samar as typhoon "Quinta" battered the province Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard said Tuesday.
The fishermen were onboard the “MB Ethan Matthew” when the vessel was battered by strong winds and big waves, causing damage to its starboard outrigger.
Boat captain Leborio Bombales said they later drifted to Batag Island where they were able to control the motor banca through slow maneuver.
Bombales contacted the owner of the motor banca, Alexis Moncada, who reported the maritime incident to the authorities.
The fishermen were instructed to carefully proceed to the Barangay Talisay Anchorage area for a rendezvous with the search and rescue team. The rescue operation was then successfully conducted.
Immediate medical assistance was provided to the local fishermen and were declared safe and in good physical condition when they were turned over to the local government officials of Laoang, Northern Samar, the Coast Guard said.
The fishermen failed to return home since they ventured out to sea to catch fish on October 23 due to rough sea conditions.
The Coast Guard said the rescue operation was conducted by a team from Coast Guard Station – Northern Samar, Special Operations Unit – Northern Samar, Coast Guard K9 – Allen, MDRRMO – Laoang and PDRRMO – Catarman.
Meanwhile, a total of 341 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers, five vessels, and three motor bancas were stranded in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Palawan due to typhoon "Quinta" as of Monday morning.
Six vessels and 17 motor bancas are also taking shelter in some parts of the regions as a precautionary measure.