Vietnamese ship rescues 3 Filipino fishermen

MANILA, Philippines - Three Filipino fishermen were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel on October 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

In a statement, the DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi sent two of its personnel to Binh Dinh Province (1,100 kms from Hanoi) to oversee the repatriation of three Filipino fishermen.

Frankley Serna, Mamerto de los Reyes and Epifanio Agting of Balayan, Batangas were aboard their individual fishing boats off the coast of the western part of Palawan Province on October 18 when bad weather prevented them from returning to their mother fishing vessel. Aboard their boats, the three fishermen drifted at sea for two days without food and water before they were rescued by Mr. Nguyen Mien.

Mayor Emmanuel Salvador Fronda of Balayan, Batangas had earlier sought the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi and the Office of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario for the repatriation of the three Filipinos.

On October 26, the Vietnamese fishing vessel arrived in Binh Dinh Province where the three fishermen were turned over to the Border Post in Quy Nhon City. After being interviewed by the Border Guard, the three fishermen were transferred to Thanh Binh Hotel where the authorities gave them accommodation and meals.

The Philippine Embassy’s  consular team, composed of Vice-Consul Dean Jason Arriola and Embassy translator Nguyen Mien Chieu thanked the Provincial Government and those who provided assistance, especially Mr. Nguyen Mien. “With the swift approval of our request for ATN fund, we are able to process necessary documentation for repatriation of the three fishermen at the soonest possible time,” according to Philippine Ambassador to Viet Nam Jerril Santos.

On November 13, a ceremony was held at Thanh Binh Hotel for the formal turnover of the three Filipinos by the authorities of Binh Dinh Province. Present during the ceremony were Mr. Bui Quoc Hong, Director of the Binh Dinh Department of Foreign Affairs, the members of the Embassy consular team, the three fishermen, the owner and a crew member of the fishing vessel that conducted the rescue, officials of the Binh Dinh Department of Foreign Affairs and the Command of the Border Guard in Quy Nhon City, and members of the local media.

The three Filipino fishermen will be assisted through their flight to Ho Chi Minh City from Quy Nhon City and onwards to Manila. From Manila, they will be assisted in their trip to Batangas where their families await their return.