MALUSO, BASILAN – In a race against time and raging waters, twenty fishermen were rescued in a high-stakes maritime operation after their fishing vessel began sinking between Tamok Island in Maluso, Basilan, and Duay Bulod Island in Sulu early morning of October 6, 2025.
At around 5:00 a.m., Boat Captain Muhammad Javer of FB MONA sent out a distress call, reporting that their small-scale fishing vessel, known locally as kulibo, was taking in water and at risk of going under.
Within minutes, Police Major Geobani Cuna Calle, Station Chief of Basilan MARPSTA, activated a multi-agency Search and Rescue (SAR) team. By 5:10 a.m., a joint rescue team—composed of Basilan MARPSTA personnel, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Maluso Sub-station, and local fisherfolk—was already at sea, navigating rough waves aboard a borrowed fishing vessel in a desperate bid to reach the sinking boat.
With the early morning light barely cutting through the mist and sea spray, rescuers scanned the vast waters. The tension mounted as radio calls echoed over the waves, and the clock ticked closer to disaster. Then, at exactly 7:25 a.m., relief and adrenaline surged through the rescuers as they spotted FB MONA, partially submerged, its crew clinging to the sides and waving frantically.
The SAR team wasted no time—hauling each of the 20 crew members aboard to safety amid the sound of crashing waves and sputtering engines. Miraculously, all were rescued unharmed, including Captain Javer. The partially submerged vessel was then towed to Teheem Island, Maluso, for safety and damage assessment.
By 9:30 a.m., the rescue operation was officially declared a success—a story of precision, teamwork, and courage at sea.
Authorities lauded the swift, coordinated action that saved twenty lives from certain tragedy. “This successful rescue underscores the importance of readiness, cooperation, and bravery in the face of maritime emergencies,” said PMAJ Calle.
The daring operation stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of Basilan’s maritime responders—proving once again that in moments of peril, heroes rise from the waves.