West PH Sea: 37 Filipino fishers rescued after boat capsizes near Balabac
MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-seven Filipino fisherfolk stranded in Palawan while en route to the West Philippine Sea were recently rescued by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Based on a Tuesday report, the agency revealed that F/V Andrei Sarah was carrying 37 fisherfolk when it departed San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on January 18. The vessel “capsized” and “broke into half” near Onok Island in Balabac on January 29 after it struck a reef.
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“Due to rough seas and engine failure, the boat captain directed the vessel toward a calmer area between Balabac and Tawi-Tawi Islands, intending to reach Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan for repairs,” BFAR said.
“However, the vessel struck a reef and broke into half near Onok Island in Balabac at 4:00 a.m. on January 29, causing it to capsize,” it added.
Article continues after this advertisementOn the same day, a PCG vessel brought the crew members to Balabac, where they took shelter temporarily.
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Last January 31 BFAR said Philippine vessels BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003) and BRP Datu Bankaw (MMOV 3004) “resupplied” all 37 fishers.
It added that 32 of the 37 rescued fishermen were safely transported to the Port of Caminawit in Occidental Mindoro, while the five others stayed in Balabac “to oversee the salvaged fishing gear.”
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