Tawi-Tawi, Philippines — The Philippine Navy rescued a fisherman who had been adrift at sea for two days in the waters off Tawi-Tawi, according to the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) on Thursday, December 5.
Rear Admiral Francisco Tagamolila Jr., commander of the NFWM, identified the rescued fisherman as Roco Sambas, a 40-year-old resident of Tandu Banak Village in Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi.
Sambas was rescued on Wednesday, December 4, approximately 6.4 nautical miles north of Andulingan Island in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi. He was spotted by Navy personnel aboard the BRP Jose Loor Sr. (PC390) during a routine maritime security patrol.
According to Sambas, his fishing boat capsized near Sibutu Island on Monday, December 2, leaving him stranded at sea.
Tagamolila, who is also part of the Joint Task Force Poseidon, reported that the PC390 crew provided Sambas with clothing, food, coffee, and first aid for minor injuries. Sambas is now in stable condition and remains under the care of the Navy personnel.
The successful rescue highlights the Philippine Navy’s ongoing commitment to ensuring maritime security and responding to emergencies in the country’s territorial waters.