By Glazyl Y. Masculino
Two fishermen from Sipalay City, Negros Occidental survived on board a damaged fishing boat for six days.
Alexander Alagao, 73; and Rico Norquia, 57, both residents of Barangay 5, were rescued in Zamboanga del Norte yesterday after they were sighted by some residents at the coastal waters of Sta. Maria, Siocon town.
Captain Ludovico Librilla Jr., provincial acting station commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), said both fishermen were reported missing on February 18, 2021 when they failed to go home after their pump boat encountered engine trouble.
Librilla said the damaged engine made it difficult for them to go back to land.
Librilla said the fishermen reached the Mindanao area due to the strong water current and strong winds.
Meanwhile, Executive Assistant Dionilo Bogtae, head of the Public Safety and Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services (SEARS), said he was able to talk to the fishermen via phone call after they received the information about them.
Both fishermen were safe and were subjected to medical examination.
Both local government units are coordinating for their transport back to the province.
