A JAPANESE bulk carrier rescued seven Filipino boat passengers off Davao Occidental last Monday night, seven days after they figured in a sea mishap, the Philippine Navy reported yesterday.
The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) said MV Shinryo Maru was enroute to Japan, Indonesia, when it spotted and rescued the occupants of the ill-fated passenger banca Hermes II near Balut Island at around 9 p.m.
The vessel later turned over the passengers to BRP Artemio Ricarte about 8.3 nautical miles off Sagbi Point in Sarangani province, said NFEM spokesman Lt. Nicheru Brien Claudio.
Claudio identified the seven rescued passengers as Hamid Sahabat, Benhar Idanny, Nisar Haiber, Jimmy Sakilan, Abdennasir Bandahala, Rolly Posadas and Altaim Latip.
Claudio said the seven tested the newly-acquired boat in Zamboanga waters seven days earlier but hit a log that caused their boat to take in water.
“The victims were reportedly adrift for seven days owing to their damaged banca that was hit by a log when they were discovered by the MV Shinryo Maru,” said Claudio.
“As per our interview, they went to test their motor banca, which was apparently newly-acquired. They tested it at sea, like a sea trial. While at sea, they encountered a log that caused a hole on their boat,” added Claudio.
After the turnover of the passengers to BRP Artemio Ricardo, Claudio said the passengers underwent medical checkup.
