PCG rescues 5 fishermen after ship collision in Spratly Islands

Screengrab of a Facebook from the Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — Five fishermen were rescued in the vicinity waters of the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea after an unknown vessel rammed their boat on January 30.

In a report on Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the fishing boat was hit in the vicinity of Lubang Island last month, but the five fisherfolk were only rescued on February 16.

The agency said Vietnamese cargo vessel MV Dong An saw the fishermen in the area and reported it to Philippine authorities.

According to PCG, three other fishermen are still missing.

READ: China’s acts of war in West PH Sea accelerating ecological ruin

“Through the coordination of CGS Bataan with Mr. John Sayao of Atiko Trans Incorporated, agent of MV Dong An, the five fishermen were successfully received by BRP Boracay and were also turned over yesterday at 8:53 a.m. to Coast Guard Sub-station Naic and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Naic personnel,” it added.

Before they were rescued, Lt. Cdr. Michael John Encina told reporters in a message that the five survived on fish and algae and all  are physically well after PCG medical debrief.