The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is now verifying the identities of the seven Chinese fishermen who were rescued onboard a distressed fishing vessel off Suluan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on Friday, Jan. 27.
“The Philippine Coast Guard Station Eastern Leyte provided security during the boarding procedure and documentary verification onboard FV Kai Da 899 at the vicinity waters off Tacloban Port’s Anchorage Area,” the PCG said on Saturday, Jan. 28.
The PCG said personnel from the Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Immigration, and Bureau of Customs joined the boarding procedure and documentary verification of the fishermen.
However, the identities of the rescued fishermen have yet to be disclosed.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said the Chinese fishermen got stranded after the hull of their fishing boat sustained damage.
The PCG deployed BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) to rescue the fishermen and tow the boat to Tacloban Port.
Balilo said the PCG will check how the Chinese fishermen ended up in the Philippine waters. It was not clear whether the fishermen were illegally fishing in Eastern Samar.
“We will conduct inquiry and inspection of equipment. May nakuha din kaming info na four days na silang palutang-lutang (We also received an information that they have been floating on the sea for four days already),” Balilo shared.
“Baka nagtago lang naman sila o naghahanap ng safe place to go (They might be taking shelter or finding a safe place to go),” he added.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian thanked the PCG for helping the distressed fishermen.