Two fishermen were rescued safely by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after being reported missing off the coast of Orion, Bataan.

Rescuers found the two clinging to their half-submerged boat about 4.7 nautical miles northeast of Orion.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Orion, the search began on July 6 after the families reported the two men missing.

They were seen last fishing off the waters of Pilar, Bataan.

“July 6, dapat 7 a.m. o 8 a.m. dapat dadaong na sila, pero hindi sila nakabalik. Hindi sila dumaong. Kaya nag-alala na relatives. Initially, nag-report muna sila doon sa kanilang barangay hall,” Rexon Ragasa, MDRRMO Orion Training and Admin Officer, said.

The PCG deployed a search and rescue team immediately and coordinated with the families.

Before the Coast Guard arrived, other fishermen tried to help, but the boat had already capsized.

“Nag-capsized talaga. Actually, kaya tumaob ‘yung bangka nila dahil sa sobrang dami ng kanilang huli. Nakakahuli ‘yung mga mangingisda natin sa past week, maraming nahuhuli. Kaya kahit masungit ang panahon, sumugod sila para mangisda. So, sa dami ng huli nila, nagkasabay silang tumungtong sa isang side ng bangka kaya tumagilid, kaya hindi na nila mabawi,” Ragasa added.

The two survivors were welcomed by their families at the Port of Capinpin and were immediately taken to the Rural Health Unit in Barangay Wawa for medical checks.