In a remarkable rescue operation, the Philippine Navy saved a fisherman who had been adrift at sea for two days after his boat overturned near Tawi-Tawi. The incident was reported by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) on Thursday. The fisherman, identified as 40-year-old Roco Sambas from Barangay Tandu Banak, Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi, was found clinging to a piece of styrofoam 6.4 nautical miles north of Andulingan Island, Sitangkai. The crew of the BRP-Jose Loor Sr. (PC390), who were on a routine maritime security patrol, spotted Sambas and swiftly initiated a rescue. They threw a life ring to him and safely brought him on board their vessel. Sambas recounted that his fishing boat had capsized on Monday while he was fishing near Sibutu Island, leaving him stranded. The crew of the PC390 provided him with dry clothes, hot food, coffee, and first aid for minor injuries. Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila Jr., the NFWM commander, stated that Sambas is in stable condition and under the care of the ship’s personnel. Tagamolila emphasized that this rescue operation underscores the Navy’s dedication to life-saving efforts and their readiness to respond to emergencies, ensuring public safety and supporting disaster response operations.
