thedrifter
10-21-06, 07:05 AM
US Marines rescue 4 Pinoy fishermen off Palawan
By Al Jacinto
FOUR Filipino fishermen whose boat capsized were rescued after 3 days at sea by US Marines taking part in a humanitarian mission in the southern Philippines, a US Marine said Friday.
The four arrived Friday onboard two military rubber boats at a naval base in Zamboanga City a day after they were spotted by a US helicopter off Palawan island in the central Philippines.
The Philippine military identified the fishermen as brothers Jimmy, Giovani and Raymond Degracia and Andrew Sumandal, all from the town of Puyo in Palawan island. Filipino military doctors examined the fishermen and gave them food before they hand them over to a local social action center.
"They were rescued after three days at sea and we gave them food and water," said Cpl. David Few, of the US Marines.
One of the fishermen said huge waves battered their boat on Monday and capsized and later broke in two. "We were drifted into the open sea and for three days we only drank sea water until we saw a big helicopter in the sky. Later, US soldiers on rubber boats arrived and rescued us," Jimmy Degracia said.
"We owe our lives to the US Marines and we will never forget this day," said Andrew Sumandal.
The US soldiers, led by Lt. James Santymire, were part of the HSV Swift a high speed transport vessel, taking part in humanitarian mission in the Philippines.
Ellie
By Al Jacinto
FOUR Filipino fishermen whose boat capsized were rescued after 3 days at sea by US Marines taking part in a humanitarian mission in the southern Philippines, a US Marine said Friday.
The four arrived Friday onboard two military rubber boats at a naval base in Zamboanga City a day after they were spotted by a US helicopter off Palawan island in the central Philippines.
The Philippine military identified the fishermen as brothers Jimmy, Giovani and Raymond Degracia and Andrew Sumandal, all from the town of Puyo in Palawan island. Filipino military doctors examined the fishermen and gave them food before they hand them over to a local social action center.
"They were rescued after three days at sea and we gave them food and water," said Cpl. David Few, of the US Marines.
One of the fishermen said huge waves battered their boat on Monday and capsized and later broke in two. "We were drifted into the open sea and for three days we only drank sea water until we saw a big helicopter in the sky. Later, US soldiers on rubber boats arrived and rescued us," Jimmy Degracia said.
"We owe our lives to the US Marines and we will never forget this day," said Andrew Sumandal.
The US soldiers, led by Lt. James Santymire, were part of the HSV Swift a high speed transport vessel, taking part in humanitarian mission in the Philippines.
Ellie