TROOPS from the Philippine Marines yesterday rescued three Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, where they had been lost for two days.
In a statement, the Philippine Marines said the fishermen were given food, water and medical assistance immediately after their rescue.
The three were Romeo Carta, 50; Rojin Santillan, 28; and Axel Gonzaga, 30, residents of Barangay San Piro, in Balayan town, Batangas.
The Marines said the three were rescued at around 8:30 a.m. by personnel of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 (MBLT-9) who are stationed at one of the Philippine military detachments in the West Philippine Sea.
It declined to say the specific area in the West Philippine Sea where the fishermen were rescued for security reasons.
The Philippines currently occupies nine features in the West Philippine Sea, the largest of which is Pag-asa Island, which serves as the seat of government of Kalayaan town in Palawan.
“Initial reports stated that the fishermen were separated from their mother boat due to rough sea conditions,” the Marines said.
“Upon rescue, the MBLT-9 personnel immediately provided food, water, and medical assistance to ensure their safety,” it added.
The military later contacted the mothership of the fishermen for their handover.
“This incident highlights the unwavering commitment of the Philippine Marine Corps to safeguarding lives and upholding maritime security in the West Philippine Sea, ensuring the protection of both territorial waters and Filipino fisherfolk,” the Marines said.
