PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Thirty-eight fishermen, who were driven off the vicinity of Mangsee Island, Balabac, by Tropical Storm “Vinta” were greeted back in their homes by their relatives and families Saturday afternoon from Tawi-Tawi.
The fishermen were reported missing on December 24 after Vinta’s strong winds pushed their fishing vessels away from the shoreline of Mangsee where they had originally sought shelter.
Abdelnasser Gregana, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MDRRMO) head of Mapun, said the rescued fishermen were transported to Rizal municipality in southern Palawan and were met there by relatives.
“Nandiyan na sila, ‘yong sa Rizal tapos ‘yong sa Mangsee unang sinundo ng lantsa ay walo bago sumunod ay anim (They are already there, 24 are from Rizal, and those from Mangsee, the first first survivors who were fetched were eight, then followed by six),” Gregana said.
Gregana related that upon their rescue, the fishermen were provided with medical attention as some had sustained wounds while struggling to survive the storm.
Bojie Lorenzo, MDRRMO of Rizal, said the fishermen were welcomed by their families who have been patiently waiting since Friday.
“They arrived here safely, bringing relief goods that were given to them by the local government. They were helped there in Mapun,” he claimed.
Search and rescue operations, according to Gregana, are continuously being done in Mapun since the survivors have told them many are still lost at sea. (PNA)
