4 fishermen rescued off Palawan island

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday four fishermen were rescued, while another one remains missing, when their motorboat caught fire near Arreceffi Island in Palawan last Friday.

In a report, PCG Palawan District commander Commodore Enrico Efren identified the missing fisherman as Nonoy Kantoba, and those rescued as boat captain Randy Talangbang, 37; Joel Escoto, 33; Toto Alarcon, 39; and Tenacio Gallares, 36, all residents of Barangay Mandaragat New Buncag, Puerto Princesa City. 

The five men reportedly encountered engine trouble near Arreceffi Island, and their boat caught fire, prompting them to jump into the water. 

Another fishing boat was luckily in the area, and rescued Talangbang and his three companions and brought them to Pandan Island.

In a separate incident, the PCG rescued six Arab nationals when their motorboat capsized after hitting a big rock while sailing toward the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan last Friday afternoon.

Efren Evangelista identified the six Arab nationals as Hazem Mustafa, Muzafar Mustafa, Abdulmulin Mustafa, Hassan Mustafa, Battot Asaf, and Abdulwahab Muzaraf.

The foreigners were accompanied by boat captain Ryan Tacob and one Nino Tender.