MANILA, Philippines - The Navy has rescued 11 Vietnamese fishermen whose boat suffered an engine problem in the West Philippine Sea.
Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said Coast Watch Center-West received a distress call from the Vietnamese vessel at around 2:30 p.m. last Saturday.
The vessel’s engine died at 10 nautical miles east of Bugsuk Island in Balabac, Palawan.
Philippine Navy ship BRP Ismael Lomibao, which responded to the call, towed the vessel toward Balabac.
Tonsay said QNG 90207 TS came from Quay Ngai, Vietnam.The boat was fishing 1,500 yards west of Discovery Great Reef when it started experiencing engine trouble last Nov. 6.
“No contraband was found onboard. The PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) conducted boarding protocol while Balabac health center provided medical check up. All 11 crewmembers are safe and sound,” Tonsay said.
The Vietnamese crewmembers have asked help from the Vietnamese embassy to repair the vessel.