US navy rescues 9 Pinoy fishermen

A passing US navy ship rescued nine Filipino fishermen whose boat capsized amid heavy waves off the coast of Davao del Sur, the Philippine Navy said yesterday.

The fishermen spent several hours aboard the USS Shasta after they were plucked off the sea on Friday and later transferred to the custody of Filipino authorities, it said.

The US naval vessel then proceeded to its original destination in Japan, the Philippine Navy said.

Commander Geronimo Malabanan, Navy spokesman, said the fishermen went adrift for five days after their boat engine conked out.

The Shasta radioed the Philippine Navy and the US Navy Pacific Command in Hawaii after plucking off the fishermen 40 nautical miles southeast of Cape San Agustin.

The Philippine Navy sent a gunboat, the BRP Magat Salamat, to fetch the fishermen and tow the fishing boat F/V Paradise back to port in Davao City.

Malabanan said the fishermen were weak and hungry but appeared out of danger.

Navy authorities said the fishermen — identified as Jojo Jagme, Ricardo Lawas, Mansing Mendoza, Marly Mendoza, Miguelito Puslan, Roger Ranque, Carlito Ruelan, Carlos Ruelan and Francisco Talingting — were from General Santos City. — With AFP