Relatives emotionally welcome the three rescued fishermen upon arrival Thursday afternoon (January 10, 2019) at the port of Zamboanga. The Philippine Coast Guard rescued them drifting in Celebes Sea near the border of the Philippines and Indonesia. (Photo courtesy of Ely E. Dumaboc)
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has rescued three Filipino fishermen drifting for 12 days in the Celebes Sea near the border of the country and Indonesia, a PCG official announced Thursday.
Lt. Commander Jimmy Vingno, Zamboanga Coast Guard Station head, identified the rescued fishermen as Bakri Nuli, 30; Michael Suwaib, 35; and, Almujer Anim, 18.
Vingno said investigation showed the three, on board a motorized boat, left Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, around 5 p.m. on December 22, 2018 en route to Sitangkai town in the same province.
He said they drifted from their point of destination when the motorboat’s engine conked out and was beyond repair.
He said the three also failed to call for help “as there was already no signal”.
Anim said they were spotted by a foreign vessel, whose crew sent a distress message to the PCG, which in turn sent the BRP-Cape San Agustin, the rescue boat.
The three rescued fishermen arrived at the local port around 3 p.m. on Thursday although they were rescued by the BRP-Cape San Agustin last January 3.
They were met by their relatives upon arrival at the port of Zamboanga. (PNA)
