MANILA, Philippines — A team of Chinese surveyors working in Guimaras Strait rescued two Filipino fishermen who had been floating at sea after their boats collapsed earlier this month.
According to a media release from the Chinese Embassy in Manila, the Chinese marine water depth measurement team found two overturned and broken boats in Guimaras Strait last March 1.
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The Filipino fishermen went fishing earlier that day during low tide but sea conditions changed throughout the day.
Strong winds and waves caused their fishing boats to shatter, forcing the fishermen to hold onto planks from their broken boats. The fishermen had been floating at sea for more than an hour when the Chinese surveyors found them.
According to the Chinese surveyors, the waves in the area were about two to three meters high when the captain of the ship discovered human figures floating in the distance.
The surveyors then asked the captain to sail towards the figures, who were later on heard calling for help.
"The voice was low because of exhaustion and two fishermen were holding the planks tightly," the Chinese Embassy said.
The Chinese then threw life ropes and life jackets to the floating fishermen. They were then pulled onto the survey ship.
The ship also towed the two damaged fishing boats back to Sibunag wharf, where the fishermen live.
"After returning to the wharf, the two fishermen and their families expressed their deep gratitude to the surveyors. They thanked the Chinese for rescuing them and saving their properties as they towed back their fishing boats without claiming any charges," the Chinese Embassy said.
The surveyors were part of a team working on the feasibility study of the PGN Island Bridge Project, which was one of the agreements signed during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines last year.
While Chinese surveyors came to the aid of Filipino fishermen in need in the Western Visayas, Chinese vessels have been denying access to Filipino fishermen on sandbars near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
Kalayaan Mayor Roberto del Mundo admitted that the presence of Chinese ships in the area have been affecting fishing activities, according to a report from Inquirer.net.
The Philippine military, however, said that there have been no reports of harassment of Filipino fishermen near Pag-asa Island.
“We have not received any complaint or report from them that they are being harassed or driven away from that area,” the AFP's Western Command said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray