11 fishermen floating at sea for 13 days rescued on Christmas

TACLOBAN CITY — For 13 days, 11 fishermen had been floating in the waters after their boat capsized off Guiuan town, Eastern Visayas at the height of typhoon “Urduja.”

They were finally rescued on Christmas Day by local fishermen from Barangay Japitan, Dolores town, also in Eastern Samar province.

Their five companions, however, were not as lucky since they remained missing.

Although the 11 had been in the water for almost two weeks and relied only on rainwater for sustenance, all were ok except for one who appeared to be suffering from depression, said Manuel Catuday, disaster risk reduction and management officer of Dolores, in a phone interview, said.

Rescued were Enrico Solayao,32; Jay-ar Josolan, 28;Ryan Calixte, 24; Jessie Apolan, 19; Jesus Apolan, 48; Jesulito Mendoza, 53; Sol Freddie Alboro Jr.,34; Glenn Moro ,23; Ernesto Mascariñas,54; Rommel Lopez,27; and Rey Cubillo,38.

Still missing were Marvin Nadunga, Joey Tolentino, Noni Magalona, Fernando Alboro and his brother Sol Freddie Alboro, captain of the ill-fated FB Vilmar I.

Based on the account of the survivors, 16 fishermen on board a fishing boat left Tacloban City in Leyte on Dec. 3 about 4 p.m. to fish in the water off Mindanao.

About 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, the crew were heading to Suluan Island off Guiuan when they were met by strong rains and heavy rains spawned by Urduja.

“Their fishing boat capsized. They were able to hang to their dear lives with the use of a big portion of the boat where the freezer was located,” Catuday said.

As Urduja unleashed her fury, the 16 grew tired and hungry. Five of them lost their grip on the boat and were swept by the strong current.

But Christmas morning at 11 a.m., three fishermen of Dolores town spotted them and immediately loaded them into their boats. They were then brought to the Domingo Casan Hospital where they were treated for their injuries.

“They were wet and tired and hungry,” Catuday said.

But Alboro Jr. was said to have suffered from depression and would be brought to a hospital in Tacloban.

The owner of the fishing boat, Mario Rodrigo, was already informed of the incident, Catuday said.

Members of Coast Guard immediately conducted their search operation along waters nearby and where the ill-fated fishing boats capsized to find the five missing fishermen. /je