The navy gunboat was conducting security patrol to prevent Abu Sayyaf terrorists from escaping the military offensive in Sulu when it received reports about the missing fishermen.
Rear Admiral Emilio Marayag, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) Command said the navy gunboat PS20 spotted the missing fishermen aboard their ill-fated motorized pumpboat two nautical miles off Bubuan Island last April 9.
Marayag said the fishermen have been missing for three days since they went on a fishing venture.
The victims’ fishing boat reportedly developed engine trouble and was forced to drift to the high seas.
"The victims survived three days in the high seas without provision. The Navy provided them food and checked their health condition before they were turned over to local authorities in Sulu," Marayag said.
Meanwhile, Marayag said the ongoing naval special operation team intercepted two motorized pumpboats and confiscated 41 bottles loaded with ammonium nitrate explosive chemical and 27 blasting caps.
The navy said in its initial investigation that the explosives were believed to be used in blast fishing.
However, the navy remained apprehensive that the huge amount of explosives and blasting caps might end up in the hands of the terrorists.
Two of the fishermen were also held for questioning about the explosive chemicals.