PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines—The Western Command has air-dropped food and other supplies to the 10 crewmen of a Filipino fishing boat disabled in the disputed Reed Bank, also referred to as Recto Bank by the Philippine government, in the West Philippine Sea, a military spokesperson said Monday.
Wescom spokesperson Lt. Cheryl Tindog said in an interview that a rescue ship was dispatched from here on Sunday to two the disabled fishing boat but it was forced to turn back because of very rough seas.
A Navy Nomad aircraft managed, however, to air-drop food and medical supplies successfully to the distressed fishing boat, named 3 Sisters 2013, Tindog said.
“The motor banca is anchored at the area and has run out of supplies,” Tindog said.
She said the Navy was waiting for the weather to clear to dispatch a bigger vessel to rescue the fishermen.
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