4 fishers rescued off Guimaras
BACOLOD CITY - Four fishermen were rescued in Barangay Alim, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental on Sunday, April 14, six days after their boat capsized in the waters of Guimaras in the aernoon of April 9. The fishermen -- aged 74, 52, 43, and 17 -- were from Barangay Calaya, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Cdr. Paterno Belarmino Jr., head of the Philippine Coast Guard (Pcg)-northen Negros Occidental, said the fishermen survived for almost a week by eating raw fish and drinking salt water. Belarmino said these fishermen went on a fishing venture around 5 p.m. on April 9. However, due to huge waves and strong winds, their fishing boat capsized. Based on the statement of one of the fishermen, they were swept by strong water current to Antique before reaching Hinoba-an town. One of them almost gave up, as some fishermen who saw them ignored them, according to Belarmino. However, the 74-year-old boat owner encouraged them to hold on, as he told them that he still wanted to live. Belarmino said that a group of fishermen in Barangay Alim rescued them around 10 a.m. on Sunday. They were brought to a hospital upon the advice of the mayor, where they were confined for a day due to dehydration. The following day, they were transported back to Guimaras on board PCG’S Fast Patrol Boat (FPB) 2404 BRP KALANGGAMAN from the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) port here. Belarmino said the fishermen arrived safely at Jordan port in Guimaras around 6 p.m. on Monday, April 15. (Glazyl Masculino)