10 stranded fishermen at Reed Bank rescued after 5 days

Ten Filipino fishermen were rescued Tuesday at the Recto (Reed) Bank off the disputed Spratly Islands, five days after they were stranded at the China-claimed territory.

All the fishermen were in stable condition, according to Lt. Cheryl Tindog, spokesperson of the military's Western Command (Wescom) based in Puerto Princesa city in Palawan.

“The 10 fishermen are reported to be in stable condition. They are now underway aboard [Patrol Ship] 35 and their motor banca is being towed back to mainland Palawan,” said Tindog.

The 10 were identified as:

• Jessie Salac,
• Pedro Cabago,
• Reynald Cabago,
• Melvin Aquino,
• Jherson Recacurva,
• Benjie Bagao,
• Arislit Ray El Sy,
• Erlan Sagang,
• Danilo Layan, and  
• Jayven Secor

They were rescued by Patrol Ship 35, also known as BRP Emilio Jacinto, at around 9 a.m. Tuesday and are due to arrive Puerto Princesa on Wednesday morning.

Tindog said BRP Emilio Jacinto departed Puerto Princesa last Monday after a smaller Navy patrol gunboat, which was initially dispatched to fetch the fishermen, returned to the city after encountering turbulent sea.

BRP Emilio Jacinto reached Recto Bank “after 17 hours of battling big waves,” Tindog said, adding the Wescom “will provide medical attention to the rescued fishermen once they have arrived.”

The military got wind of the 10 fishermen last Dec. 5 through a call from a tipster.

A military plane air-dropped supplies for the stranded fishermen, pending the arrival of Navy rescuers. — KBK, GMA News