THREE Filipino fishermen were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) while they were drifting at sea for 12 days in the Celebes Sea near the border of the Philippines and Indonesia, an official said Thursday, January 10.
Rescued were Bakri Nuli, 30; Michael Suwaib, 35; and Almujer Anim, 18, according to Lieutenant Commander Jimmy Vingno, chief of the Zamboanga Coast Guard Station.
Although they were rescued on January 3, they arrived at the port of Zamboanga around 3 p.m. Thursday. They were greeted by their relatives upon arrival.
Vingno said investigation showed the three left Bongao, Tawi-Tawi aboard a motorboat, around 5 p.m. on December 22, 2018 en route to Sitangkai town of the same province.
He said they drifted away from their point of destination when the motorboat’s engine conked out and efforts to repair provide futile.
Vingno said the three also failed to call for help “as there was already no signal” while they continue to adrift at sea.
Anim said they were spotted at sea by a foreign vessel, whose crew sent a distress message to the PCG, who in turn sent the BRP-Cape San Agustin and rescued them. (SunStar Philippines)