Navy rescues distressed fishermen in Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines — A Philippine Navy patrol ship, which was dispatched to the Reed Bank on Monday has found and rescued a beleaguered fishing boat with a crew of 10 local fishermen, a dispatch issued by the Western Command on Tuesday, stated.

“They are now underway aboard PS 35 and their motor banca is being towed back to mainland Palawan. They are expected to arrive (in Puerto Princesa City) by 2 a.m. on Wednesday,” said Wescom spokesperson, Lt. Cherryl Tindog.

According to the military command tasked with protecting the country’s claims in the disputed West Philippine Seas said the Navy vessel battled strong waves for 17 hours before it was able to reach the beleaguered fishing boat and its crew at past 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

The Reed Bank, which the Philippine government refers to as Recto Bank, is also being claimed by China under its so-called 9-dash line, which maps out most of the South China Sea as Chinese territory.

Parts of Reed Bank, believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, have been awarded by the Department of Energy as a service contract to a consortium of foreign oil companies including Chevron. With Frances Mangosing, INQUIRER.net

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