5 fishermen rescued

ANDA, BOHOL, Philippines - Town policemen and some residents in this easternmost coastal town of Bohol have rescued five fishermen who were drifting at sea as they clung to their boat that keeled over when hit by a passing cargo vessel off Bohol Sea last Monday.

Report reaching The Freeman identified the rescued victims as Elmer Eyangyang, Diego Balane, Rolly Apalye, Ed Mangito and Daniel Tabarca, all of Dinagat island off Surigao del Norte.

Mayor Angelina Simacio of this town, about 100 kilometers from Tagbilaran City, said the fishermen were heading home to Dinagat after fishing in Bohol Sea when a cargo vessel, heading to Cagayan de Oro City in northwestern Mindanao, slammed the fishing boat of the victims and causing it to turn upside down.

The five had no other way but to hang on to their overturned boat as it drifted asea, while one of them was able to contact through cellphone his friend somewhere in Bohol.

This resulted in the rescue of the fishermen, but authorities did not give details on how the policemen were able to do it and brought the fishermen safely to this town.

Town officials have reportedly arranged for the safe return of the fishermen safe return to their home and family in Dinagat. The fishermen, on their part, did not say if they would pursue a case against the cargo vessel, which name they failed to identify. – THE FREEMAN