The Philippine Navy (PN) said Wednesday, September 15, that it has saved six distressed fishermen who managed to keep their half-sunken fishing boat afloat for two days in the Philippine Rise.
The rescued fishermen were identified as Jayson Buheda, 36, boat captain of FV MR KUPIDO; and his crewmates Legazpi Villanueva, 71; Christopher Querez , 45; Mario Burod, 50; Armando Mise, 53; and Tony Reyes, 51. They were all residents of Atimonan and Real towns in Quezon Province.
Initial report said BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), one of the PN's capital ships under the operational control of Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL), was conducting territorial defense operations in the eastern seaboard of the country on Tuesday when they received a distress call about a sinking fishing vessel in the Philippine Rise.
The crew of BRP Andres Bonifacio immediately proceeded to the location of the boat until the fishermen were found aboard their half-sunken fishing boat at 26.7 nautical miles southeast of Benham Bank, Philippine Rise.
According to the crew, their fishing vessel was hit by big waves while they were on a fishing venture. The big waves damaged the outrigger of the boat and created a hole on its freeboard, allowing seawater to slowly seep in.
They said they have been trying to keep the vessel afloat for two days while waiting for rescue but to no avail, until the BRP Andres Bonifacio arrived.
The fishermen were provided with dry clothes, food, medical assistance, and temporary billeting.
Meanwhile, the crew of BRP Andres Bonifacio conducted dewatering and repair of FV MR KUPIDO.