7 Filipino passengers saved from damaged banca near Indonesian border
Seven Filipino passengers were rescued by a Japanese vessel after the motorbanca they were riding got damaged near the border of the Philippines and Indonesia, leaving them drifting at sea for seven days, the Philippine Navy (PN) said on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Commodore Carlos Sabarre, commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), said they received information last Sunday that Hermes II, a distressed vessel, was asking assistance for rescue at the vicinity of Balut Island at the southern tip of Davao Occidental.
The banca was apprently hit by a log and suffered flooding while travelling in the vicinity of the Philippine-Indonesian border.
Sabarre said they alerted the littoral monitoring station (LMS) near the area to monitor and locate the distressed motorbanca. They also sent a Beechcraft King Air TC-90 patrol with tail number NV-395 to conduct search and rescue operations.
Personnel of Davao del Sur-based LMS Tinaca eventually established contact on Monday night with personnel of MV Shinryo Maru, a bulk carrier vessel hoisting the flag of Japan, who happened to rescue the seven passengers onboard the ill-fated motorbanca.
Accordingly, MV Shinryo Maru was on its way back to Japan from Indonesia when they spotted the Filipino boat passengers while drifting at sea in the vicinity of Balut Island so they rescued them.
The Philippine Navy reports on Nov. 22, 2022 the rescue of seven Filipino passengers by a Japanese vessel after the motorbanca they were riding was damaged near the Philippines – Indonesia border and left them drifting at sea for seven days. (: PH Navy) | via @MB_mrtnsdngdng pic.twitter.com/UaDBBQSU12
— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) November 22, 2022
The victims were identified as Hamid Sahabat, Benhar Idanny, Nisar Haiber, Jimmy Sakilan, Abdennasir Bandahala, Rolly Posadas, and Altaim Latip, all residents of Zamboanga City.
"The victims were reportedly adrift for seven days owing to their damaged banca that was hit by a log when they were discovered by the MV Shinryo Maru," Sabarre said.
BRP Ismael Lomibao (PG383) and BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS37) then met MV Shinryo Maru at 8.3 nautical miles off Sagbi Point in Sarangani province for the transfer of the distressed passengers.
Sabarre said the victims were immediately given first aid and examined upon their transfer to BRP Artemio Ricarte before they were brought to General Santos City for proper disposition.