RP navy rescues four fishermen

RP navy rescues four fishermen

PHILIPPINES: Navy sailors on Sunday rescued four Filipino
fishermen who were adrift for 15 days in the unpredictable
western Philippine seas.

Navy spokesman Geronimo Malabanan said the four fishermen were
already aboard a patrol ship en route to Manila and were
undergoing medical examinations.

Malabanan said the fishermen were recovered early Sunday off
the island of Busuanga in Palawan province, 300 kilometers
southwest of Manila.

An American PT Orion surveillance plane spotted the ill-fated
vessel on late Friday.

The fishermen left the northwestern coastal town of Subic in
Zambales province on March 22 but failed to return as scheduled
four days later, prompting relatives to report them as missing.

Malabanan said the boat developed engine trouble and lost
power, causing the vessel to drift aimlessly on the high seas. --
DPA