Fisherman adrift at sea for 22 days rescued in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A fisherman, who spent 22 days adrift at sea on a pumpboat, was rescued off an island in Sulu on Saturday. 

Arnel Percho, 32, a native of Bayawan, Negros Occidental, was spotted by local fishermen who brought him to a detachment of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit.

Percho was brought to the Western Mindanao Command on Monday and underwent medical checkup. The Westmincom coordinated with its counterpart in the Visayas to send the fisherman to his hometown. 

Percho said he was with several fishermen deployed by their company for a fishing venture in the waters off Zamboanga peninsula on Sept. 23, but the engine of his pumpboat malfunctioned.