Taiwanese vessel rescues Pinoy fishermen

The TECO report disclosed that because of rough sea conditions, the Taiwanese fishing vessel opted to transport the Filipinos to Taiwan and had them turned over to TCG cutter Weihsing (CG-102) docked in Kaohsiung Port

Two Filipino fishermen were saved by the crew of a Taiwanese fishing vessel in the vicinity waters off Y’ami Island in Taiwan, authorities reported on Monday.

According to the report from Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, the rescued fishermen were identified as Gerald Alarcado, 29 years old, and his brother Jenevis, 28, both residents of Batanes province.

The report said Taiwanese fishing vessel Maan Shenq Fa No. 6 (CT3-3887) saw the victims onboard a small fishing boat drifting in the waters about 20 nautical miles north of Y’ami Island as it encountered an engine malfunction at around 5 p.m. on 23 May.

“The captain and crew members of Maan Shenq Fa No. 6 immediately rescued the fishermen and coordinated the situation with the Taiwan Fisheries Agency and the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration,” the report said.

The TECO report also disclosed that because of rough sea conditions, the Taiwanese fishing vessel opted to transport the Filipinos to Taiwan and had them turned over to TCG cutter Weihsing (CG-102) docked in Kaohsiung Port to be assisted by officials from the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in coordination with the TECO.

In a correspondence between the TCG Attaché of TECO and the Philippine Coast Guard, Batanes Congressman Ciriaco Gato Jr. conveyed his concerns and requested kind assistance from Taiwan for his constituents.

To recall, in 2018, 2019 and 2022, similar situations took place and were all successfully coordinated by both Taiwan and the Philippines through mutual efforts from the respective representative offices and coast guard agencies.

In these kinds of circumstances, Taiwan is always ready and dedicated to lending a hand to its good neighbors and friends.