Source: Philippine Star
US aircraft carrier George Washington
A US Navy warship sailing to Manila for a goodwill visit rescued yesterday five Philippino tuna fisherman whose boat sank off the coast of Lubang island in Mindoro Tuesday night.
The US embassy said the fishermen were initially spotted clinging to their capsized tuna boat at about 1:30 a.m. by pilots of a patrolling US naval helicopter from the USS McCampbell.
“They were discovered during routine night-time flight operations at approximately midnight by helicopter pilots embarked on the USS McCampbell,†the embassy said in a statement.
One of the five fishermen was flashing a lighter while standing on the roof of the fishing boat, the only part of the drifting sea vessel that remained afloat.
The helicopter immediately notified the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group and the McCampbell, an Arleigh Burke-Class guided-missile destroyer which were sailing in the West Philippine Sea on their way to Manila.
Tina Malone, a US embassy spokeswoman, said the McCampbell, being the closest to the location of the five fishermen, launched two boats to rescue them.
The US destroyer is among the escorting warships of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington slated for a goodwill visit to the country from Oct. 24 to 29.
“The five men were quickly recovered and taken on board the McCampbell, approximately one hour after the initial recovery. The fishermen were evaluated by the ship’s medical personnel and were found to be in good health,†the embassy press statement said.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Commander Armand Balilo identified the rescued fishermen as Richard Ralia, 27; Noel Aque, 22; Jimmy Aque, 34; Reynato Leorin, 33; and Erick Abaño, 26, all of Barangay Cawak, Subic, Zambales.
Balilo said the fishermen reportedly left Zambales last Oct. 19 and sailed toward Mindoro to fish for yellowfin tuna.
Meanwhile, at least 300 personnel of the Philippine Navy (PN) will participate in the 5-day goodwill visit in Manila and Cavite of the George Washington which docked in Manila yesterday.
Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said the Port of Manila would host the US battleship under the command of Rear Admiral John Haley.
The aircraft carrier sailed in with two other US warships, the USS Cowpens (CG-63) and the McCampbell.
“The PN will provide around 300 personnel within Manila and Cavite area to participate during the ship’s tour aboard USS George Washington and commit participants for the other activities that will cover the five-day stay of the visitors,†Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said.
