SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – Some 32 San Jose town fisherfolk aboard F/V ANDREI SARAH safely returned to their homes on February 2 after being stranded in Balabac, Palawan, on January 29, 2025.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) rescued them after they ran afoul of a reef near Onok Island in Balabac, Palawan.
According to the official report of BFAR MIMAROPA, 37 fisherfolk aboard the said fishing vessel were en route to the West Philippine Sea on January 18.
Due to adverse sea conditions and engine failure, the fishermen were forced to seek repairs near Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan.
To avoid further damage, Restituto Comendador, the Boat Captain of F/V ANDREI SARAH, directed the fishing vessel to sail between a calmer area between the seas of Balabac and Tawi-tawi.
However, the fishing vessel struck the reef surrounding Onok Island at around 4:00 A.M. on January 29, causing it to tip over.
“Fortunately, there exists a Coast Guard detachment in Onok Island, allowing them to communicate and look for a rescue from the Coast Guard Station in Balabac Island,” the BFAR MIMAROPA explained.
Upon PCG Palawan’s rescue, 32 of the 37 fisherfolk were fetched by the Department of Agriculture – BFAR Ships, namely RP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003) and BRP Datu Bankaw (MMOV 3004), back to Caminawit Port, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
The remaining five fishermen chose to stay in Balabac, Palawan to look after their fishing gear and equipment.
The Occidental Mindoro Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) personnel checked the fishermen’s vital signs upon arriving at the port of Caminawit on February 2.
According to BFAR Occidental Mindoro, all the fishermen are in good condition. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro/Photo courtesy of BFAR Occidental Mindoro)
