Coast Guard helps hurt Vietnamese fisherman

ZAMBOANGA CITY -An injured Vietnamese fisherman has expressed gratitude for the assistance accorded to him by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) despite entering fishing illegally in Philippine waters on New Year’s Eve.

Dang Canh, who is currently recuperating at the Camp Navarro General Hospital here, broke his right arm and leg while operating a trawling machine aboard a fishing vessel off the Turtle Islands municipality, Tawi-Tawi.

PCG personnel sta

tioned in Turtle Islands boarded the vessel after they monitored the fishing boat vessel anchored in the area on December 31 last year.

Also aboard the fishing vessel were Nguyen Van Jhanh, the boat captain, and Nguyen Tanh Joan, aside from Canh.

Canh was immediately taken to the Turtle Islands Regional Health Unit before being airlifted to Camp Navarro General Hospital for further treatment.

“We are very much thankful for the assistance provided by the Armed Forces to us. Despite our illegal entry into the Philippine waters, they still rescued us,” Canh said.

Canh expressed his gratitude to Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, who visited him in the hospital on Monday.

Mayor Mohd. Faizal Jamalul of Turtle Islands and Vietnam liaison officer Razali Bin Hussein accompanied Sobejana during the visit to Canh in the hospital.

“No words can describe how grateful I am for the best assistance the military personnel provided through their hospitality and sincere services,” Canh added.

Sobejana said Canh will be turned over to the proper authority after his treatment.

“I commend our troops and the PCG for this laudable act of humanity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the boat captain and the fishing vessel are in PCG’s custody in Turtle Islands for further investigation.