CATARMAN, Northern Samar- Three fishermen were rescued off the waters of Capul, this province, on Wednesday (Sept.13) after their unmarked fishing boat was battered by strong winds and currents.
The rescued fishermen were identified as Ricardo Osasena, Ceasar Tupaz, and Dino Atigo, all residents of Cataingan, Masbate province.
Inspector Ricardo Banjawan, Capul police chief, said that he and his men were on board a passenger boat on their way to Allen town when they saw the motorized fishing boat where the fishermen were on board with a white cloth hung at its mast.
Banjawan said that when they spotted the fishing boat at around 7 am, it was already “half submerged.”
The rescued fishermen disclosed to the police that they were from Masbate to deliver their catch to Naval, Biliran when they were battered by strong winds.
Soon water rushed into their boat and the strong sea current drifted them away towards Capul Island.
The fishermen also said that they have to throw to the sea their catch of fish to ensure that their boat would not completely sink.
Banjawan ordered for the three to be brought to Allen District Hospital for a medical checkup and were released by 12 noon on that same day.
“Dumating yung amo nila, ang may ari ng pumpboat, at sinundo na sila para makauwi sa Masbate,” he said.
The officer said they have verified that the persons they rescued were indeed fishermen. The police found empty styrofoam boxes in the rescued boat and other fishing paraphernalia.
(RACHEL V. ARNAIZ)
