Survivors: We drank rainwater for 2 days

ROXAS CITY—For two days, the fishermen drank rainwater and clung on floating lumber while waiting for the rescuers to save them.

Their faith in God kept them strong in their belief that help would finally come.

And it did.

On Wednesday night, crew members of passing fishing boats pulled 13 fishermen in the waters off Balud town in Masbate.

They were first brought to Balud town before they were taken home to Roxas City by Capiz Bantay Dagat volunteers on Thursday night.

Nineteen others remained missing as search-and-rescue teams aided by helicopters and two Coast Guards ships continued to scour the waters between Sibuyan and Masbate.

The Coast Guard reported the recovery of the remains of an unidentified male at the shoreline of Mandaon town in Masbate 9 a.m. on Friday. They were still confirming if the remains are those of one of the missing fishermen.

At least 32 fishermen were on board fishing boat Hope Cristi, which sank between Masbate and Sibuyan Island on Monday due to rough seas brought by Tropical Storm “Juaning.”

Five of the survivors were unconscious, weak and suffering from trauma. Others were injured in different parts of the body.

The survivors, all from Barangay Libas in Roxas City, arrived about 8 p.m. on Thursday and were fetched by ambulances and members of the Philippine National Red Cross, city officials and their families.

They were brought to Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH) where they were treated.

Citing accounts of survivors and Coast Guard reports, Commodore Athelo Ybañez, Western Visayas Coast Guard commander, said the fishing boat was anchored and taking shelter between Sibuyan and Masbate Islands when it was suddenly hammered by strong winds and big waves.

The boat sank around 2 a.m. after taking in water. Many of the fishermen were asleep and were unable to jump from the boat.

The survivors told rescuers that some of them were able to stay afloat by holding on floating lumber and plastic containers.

“We drink rainwater and our strong faith on God are our only source of strength,” said fisherman Rodel Flora III, 20, who was confined at the hospital.

He said the 13 fishermen held on to lumber but the others slowly slipped and let go, apparently because of the fatigue and the cold.

One of those who let go was Flora’s brother, Brando, who was one of those missing.

Six others were recuperating at the RMPH. They were Rex Bocala, 24; Vicente dela Cruz, 23; Andy Layon, 25; Joseph Culipapa, Juvy Balite and Andrew Bellosillo.

Six others were allowed to go home after undergoing checkups. They were Rodel Acebuque, Jurex Artagane, Dante Daños, Noel Romano, Michael Apruebo and Rodolfo Alovera.

Petty Officer 1 Arnel Astrologia of the Coast Guard Detachment in Libas, Capiz, identified the missing as boat captain Nestor dela Cruz, Ronnie Borbon, Joseph Tupas, Ronelo Ganadores, Jinny Braulio, Benjie Obapa, Rosito Ganadores, Hernie Alejandro, Alan Valenzuela, Hernani Gapasinao, Hernanito Gapasinao, Emir Francisco, Melchor Francisco, and Rene Dechosa.