Fisherman adrift at sea for 12 days rescued in Negros Occidental

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines (UPDATED) – After being adrift at sea for 12 days, a 65-year-old fisherman was rescued in the territorial waters of Sipalay City.

Local fishermen found Orlando Warizal, a fisherman from Puerto Princesa in Palawan, hanging on to his capsized boat on Monday, October 23, said Sipalay City Councilor Dionilo Bogtae, head of the Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services.

Warizal and a fellow fisherman left Barangay Sta Monica, Puerto Princesa City, on board a pump boat on October 11.  The Philippine Coast Guard, citing the report of Edmund Ligan of the Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), identified the missing fisherman as Sonny Quennio. 

Heavy rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Odette forced the fishermen to take shelter in an artificial fish sanctuary near Rasa Island in Narra, Palawan. Big waves caused their boat to capsize.

Quennio tried to recover the vessel but he fell into the water and got swept by the current.

The boat owner, Rogelio Cervates, reported the missing fishermen to Coast Guard authorities in Puerto Princesa.

Bogtae said Warizal held on to the capsized pump boat until he was rescued 12 days later. During that time, he had no food, and only drank sea water. 

Bogtae said the  Warizal was  brought to the City Health Office, and was in stable condition.

He was brought to the Philippine Coast Guard office in Bacolod City on Tuesday, October 24, and is expected to be go home to Puerto Princesa on Thursday, October 26. – Rappler.com