LIMAY, Bataan: The Philippine Coast Guard announced that two fishermen reported missing on board a fishing banca Tuesday, July 23, were successfully rescued the next day, Wednesday.
Cdr. Bernard Ventura, provincial chief of the Bataan Coast Guard Station here, happily reported that fishermen Artemio Nabunag, 68 and Dennis Calong, 40; both of Limay, were safe when spotted by a passing fishing boat.
The CG commander said that relatives reported at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday that the two were missing after going out to the sea at dawn of Tuesday but failed to be back at 8:00 in the morning, the scheduled routine that they should be at home.
Upon receiving the report, Ventura reported the incident to the CG district national capital region central Luzon headquarters that immediately deployed a ship to conduct search and rescue operation.
“Awa ng Diyos nahanap din sila kaninang 2:20pm ngayong July 24, 2024 sa vicinity ng Manila Bay at sa tulong ng isang mangingisda na passing by doon sa kanilang lugar na kung saan nakita silang palutang-lutang hawak-hawak ang kanilang bangkang ginamit sa kanilang pangingisda,”Ventura said.
The two were using a small banca fitted in the coastline. “Awa ng Diyos hindi din lumubog at noong nakita sila ng fishing vessel Triple R ay nakalutang ang bangka na nakataob lang at iyon ang isa sa life saving appliances noong dalawang mangingisda natin,” he said.
Ventura said that the two fishermen were already enroute to Mariveles escorted by CG ship BRP Melchora Aquino and to be met by personnel of the CG and the municipal disaster risk reduction management office and members of their family.
“Thank God isang milagro na nahanap sila. Of course, ini-eskortan na ng ating CG ship papunta doon sa Mariveles ensuring na safe and sound yung mga survivors. Hindi natin tinigilan ito, 24 hours nating sinuyod yung area ng Bataan, Corregidor and Manila Bay despite na napakalaki ng alon,” Ventura said.
