Six fishermen were rescued by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard along the coastline of Silay City, Negros Occidental after their boat submerged due to strong winds and waves Sunday morning (May 12).
They were identified as Joan Infante, 37; Arnel Sevilla, 25; Jondle Sevilla, 24; Liberato Sevilla, 58; Ricky Sevilla, 30; and Elmer Tiongzon, 39.
Commander Paterno Belarmino Jr., chief of Coast Guard Station Northern Negros Occidental, said the fishermen left Catabla Baybay, Barangay Zone 3 in neighboring Talisay City around 4 a.m.
About three hours later, they encountered strong winds and waves and water started to flood the motor banca, forcing them to jump into the sea.
By 9 a.m., the Coast Guard Station headquarters in Barangay Banago, Bacolod City received a distress call from a tanker ship, which spotted the fishermen floating at sea.
The six fishermen were then rescued by a tugboat led by Auxiliary Commander Ricky Malayo of the 618th Squadron of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, and they were brought to Bredco port in Bacolod City.
They were immediately given medical attention at Coast Guard Sub-Station Bacolod, although none of them suffered serious injuries, according to the Coast Guard. ||
