Two fishermen from Saranggani town in Davao Occidental who were reported missing after going fishing last February 18 were rescued by the Indonesian Army on February 19 while drifting off Indonesian waters near Marore Island.
The Filipino fishermen were identified as Indri Pawi, 52 years old, and Germinyo Pawi, 32, both residents of Barangay Tinina, Balut Island, Saranggani town. They were brought to Marore Island, Indonesia.
Indonesian Army patrolling the area spotted the distressed fishermen and rescued them. The fishing boat was towed to Marore Island for safekeeping.
At Marore Island, Indonesian Border Crossing Officer Batuganding station Lt. Valens Saneba contacted the Philippine Coast Guard Station Davao Occidental to inform them of the rescued fishermen.
Coordination between the Indonesian and Philippine
authorities to repatriate the rescued fishermen were processed for documentation.
PCG reports showed that the two were fishing on the waters off Balut Island when their pump boat hit a log which broke their boat hull. The accident caused the boat’s engine to break down.
On Thursday, March 1, Indonesian Border Crossing Batuganding informed the PCG of the repatriation and asked to escort the fishermen when they crossed the Philippine waters.
The following day, the PCG with the fishermen arrived at Balut Island. After having been processed by the Bureau of Immigration Balut Island Sattelite Office, the Coast Guard escorted them back to their family in Barangay Tinina, Sarangani, Davao Occidental.
The local government unit of Sarangani extended relief assistance to the two fishermen.
Their family said that they are thankful to the Indonesian Army and the PCG for saving the lives of the fishermen.
