In a dramatic rescue operation, five Filipino fishermen were saved from the treacherous waters off the Spratly Islands in Vietnam on January 30, 2025. The fishermen, who were aboard the FBCA Prince Elmo 2 from Naic, Cavite, were on a routine fishing trip near Lubang Island when their vessel was suddenly rammed by an unidentified ship around 8 p.m. The collision left three of their companions missing, sparking a frantic search and rescue mission.
The survivors, who were positioned at the bow of their boat, were plucked from the sea by the MV Dong An at 3:15 p.m. on February 16. They were subsequently transferred to the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Boracay 2 near Corregidor Island on February 19. The rescue was coordinated by PCG Station Bataan in collaboration with John Sayao of Atiko Trans Incorporated, the agent for MV Dong An.
Following their rescue, the five fishermen underwent a medical evaluation by the PCG and were found to be in good physical condition. They were then handed over to the PCG Sub-station Naic and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Naic at 8:53 a.m. on Wednesday.
The identity of the vessel responsible for the collision remains a mystery, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the details of this maritime incident.