Vietnam to repatriate 5 Pinoy fishermen rescued in seas

HANOI – The Philippine embassy here is working for the speedy repatriation of five Filipino fishermen rescued by Vietnamese fishing vessels last Jan. 30.

The five fishermen had been adrift for seven days when found by Vietnamese fishermen.

They were turned over to the Vietnamese authorities in south central Phu Yen province. Border guards brought them to the provincial capital Tuy Hoa City where they stayed in a hotel awaiting repatriation, reports said.

Philippine Ambassador to Hanoi Jerril Santos said they learned about the incident involving the Filipino fishermen a day after they were rescued and began the process for their immediate repatriation.

He disclosed that the embassy’s Assistance to Nationals officer proceeded to the site to facilitate procedures and requirements after they received last Tuesday the authorization from the Department of Foreign Affairs to utilize funds available for this purpose.

“These procedures, which include medical checks and documentary requirements like exit permits, are expected to be completed by Friday (today),” Santos said.

“And depending on availability of seats in flights from Phu Yen to Ho Chi Minh City to Manila, they may be back in the Philippines by early next week,” he said.

Santos identified the five as Reginao Sulca, Neptalie Surbano, Remy Joy Jiray, Alfredo Mangubat and Diego Abano, all from Zambales.

The ambassador reported this to Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate foreign relations committee who is attending the United Nations International Strategy in Disaster Reduction as regional champion for the Asia-Pacific.

The fishermen had been reported missing by the Philippine Coast Guard after their boat encountered a storm off Zambales and drifted out to the South China Sea.