Twenty-five Filipino fishermen were safely returned to shore after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) executed a critical rescue operation in the West Philippine Sea, following a maritime incident near Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc).
The fishing boat, FFB Gabriel 6 from Subic town, was operating approximately 31.2 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc when it was hit by powerful waves.
The rough conditions caused significant damage, shattering the vessel’s outrigger and leaving it adrift.
The emergency was first reported early Sunday morning by a fellow fishing vessel, the John Alex, which radioed for help.
The PCG vessel BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), which was already conducting a maritime patrol in the area, immediately responded to the distress call.
Commander Euphraim Jayson Diciano, head of the PCG station in Zambales, confirmed that the BRP Cabra visually located the disabled boat approximately two hours after the alert.
PCG personnel quickly established communication and initiated an escort operation, guiding the damaged FFB Gabriel 6 back to mainland safety.
The mission concluded successfully on Monday as the vessel and all 25 crew members arrived safely at the Subic Bay Anchorage Area.
All fishermen were reported to be unharmed and in good physical condition.
The incident underscores the continuing hazards faced by local fisherfolk operating in the West Philippine Sea, a region vital for the country’s fish stocks and within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).