A FISHERMAN was rescued, while another went missing as their fishing motorboat capsized off Sulu Sea, the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) reported Monday, March 14, 2022.
Rescued was Shaider Ismael, 32, while his brother, Maser, 20, remained missing. They are residents of Maluso, Basilan province.
Ismael was rescued around 4 a.m. Friday, March 11, by the crew of the Pia-Zarah 16 of the Victory Fishing Corporation off Bolod Island, Sulu.
The crew of Pia-Zarah 16 happened to be members of the NFWM Special Cafgu Auxiliary (SCAA) who serve as force multipliers of the Navy and contribute to monitoring the situation in the maritime environment.
"They (SCAA) have been very helpful in rescue operations, information gathering, and in reporting suspicious activities in the areas where their boats are located," the NFWM Public Affairs Office said in a statement Monday, March 14.
Ismael was turned over by Pia-Zara 16 crewmen to the BRP-Florencio Iñigo (PC-393) personnel, who later handed him over to the representatives of the Philippine Coast Guard and Municipal Government of Luuk, Sulu.
The Naval Task Group-Sulu has deployed PC-393 to conduct follow-up search and rescue operations for Ismael's missing brother. (SunStar Zamboanga)