Navy ship rescues 2 teens from capsized banca off Balangiga

MANILA, Philippines — Naval Forces Central rescued two teens in the coastal waters of Balangiga, Eastern Samar on Saturday, the Philippine Navy unit in the Visayas said.

According to a press release, duty personnel of the BRP Abraham Campo (PC 396) noticed a man drowning 1,600 yards—around 1.4 kilometers—from the coast of Balangiga town on Saturday afternoon.

The 82-foot Campo is a former US Coast Guard cutter commissioned into the Philippine Navy in 2001.

"In response, PC 396 under the command of Cdr. Aldrin Gacusan PN, immediately dispatched its personnel, including the team of Navy Seals aboard the vessel," Naval Forces Central said.

A rigid hull inflatable boat sent to the site found Jerwin Ogario and John Paul Pabello, both 15 years old and residents of Balangiga.

The banca they were using for fishing had capsized because of a hole in the hull. They were brought aboard the Abraham Campo and would be brought back to shore through coordination with Naval Task Force 50, the Navy said.

"Naval Task Force 50 is the operational component of Naval Forces Central designated for the Philippine Navy vessels assigned in NFC's area of responsibility, Regions 6, 7 and 8," it also said.

BRP Abraham Campo had been providing seaborne security for the turnover of the Balangiga bells to the church where they were taken by American troops in 1901 during the Philippine-American War.