Five Filipino fishermen were rescued on Wednesday, Dec. 6, by members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after their fishing boat was hit by bulk carrier off the waters of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.
Reports said the boat of the fishermen, FBCA Ruel J, was hit around 4 p.m. last Tuesday, Dec. 5.
In a statement, the PCG said that the Coast Guard Station (CGS) in Sablayan, Occidental, Mindoro received information at 12 noon about the incident and immediately coordinated with the boat owner in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
They identified the rescued stranded fishermen near Pandan Island as Junrey Sardan, Ryan Jay Daus, Bryan Pangatungam, Cristian Arizala, and Joshua Barbas.
The survivors told the PCG that their boat, FBCA Ruel J, was attached to a "payao" or a type of fishing off Paluan waters when the vessel MV Tai Hang 8 hit their boat and left them adrift.
Upon receiving the boat's distress signal, the Coast Guard launched a rescue operation with the assistance of fishing boat Joker, led by Joshua Reloba, and assisted by other bancas -- Precious Heart and Jaschene —they towed the ill-fated boat and its crew to safety.
The PCG ensured the survivors were taken care of upon arriving at the port of Sablayan and later verified the crew members were in good condition.
According to the MDRRMO, they also conducted safety check-ups while the barangay officials extended assistance to the rescued fishermen.
The municipality of Sablayan and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Sablayan pledged to give additional aid to the rescued fishers, who were later turned over to their families, the PCG stated.
The boat owner and the survivors thanked the PCG for their prompt rescue.
The PCG said it is now coordinating with MV Tai Hang 8's flag state and port office in adherence to maritime incident procedures.