US ship rescues 3 fishermen off Pangasinan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Three fishermen survived rough seas for five days before being rescued by a passing US battleship 40 nautical miles off Pangasinan, an official said yesterday.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Feliciano Salonga identified the fishermen as Johnny Galvez, 23; Renato Ignacio, 31; and Leopoldo Molino, 23; all residents of Cato village in Infanta, Pangasinan.

“The [authority] is committed to extend a helping hand to all those in need especially during an emergency,” Salonga said as he praised the officers and crew of the US battleship.

He said that a few minutes after midnight Monday, officers of the command ship USNS Rappanhanock spotted the three fishermen holding on to their overturned fishing boat.

Officer Jeremy Guida said the fishermen used a flashlight to call the attention of the passing ship, which was heading to the South China Sea to call on the Port of Singapore.

“It’s like a miracle. They were all lucky to survive for several days,” Guida said.

“They were freezing and very weak at the time we rescued them,” rescuer Craig Johnson said.

“We thought we were all going to die,” Galvez told doctors. “But we didn’t lose hope and prayed hard.” Cecille Garcia - Manila Standard Today