Rescued Filipinos at Sea Visit The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo
Five Filipino fishermen from Itbayat, Batanes met today with Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez after they were saved at sea on 25 March 2015. Their rescue, stay in Japan and return to the Philippines is the result of an active cooperation between the US Navy and the US Embassy in Tokyo, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
The rescued fishermen – Glenford Gutierrez Villa, Jonas Salamagos Manzo, Joseph Castillejos, James Cano Bata, and Froilan Ibanes Libaton – pose with Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Deputy Chief of Mission Gilberto Asuque, Consul General Marian Ignacio, Minister Josel Ignacio, Vice Consul Domini Kitade and other Philippine Embassy officials who extended assistance to them.
Glenford Gutierrez Villa, Jonas Salamagos Manzo, Joseph Castillejos, James Cano Bata, and Froilan Ibanes Libaton floated at sea for 4 days and 3 nights before they were rescued by the USS Blue Ridge, a US 7th Fleet flagship vessel. They arrived in Yokohama on 30 March 2015 where they were turned over by US officials to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
The five fishermen narrates their boat’s motor broke on their return to Itbayat. They drifted with the current, pounded by gigantic waves and a strong wind until their rescue. USS Blue Ridge was on patrol in the Philippine Sea when it spotted a small boat with an orange flag. The fishermen’s boat named the Oxangu Hulk was not moving and the stranded fishermen were spotted waving a white T-shirt and a flashlight. The fishermen were found without food and malnourished, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration. Onboard the USS Blue Ridge, the five Filipinos were provided first aid, showers and a change of clothes.
US Navy officials turned over rescued Filipino fishermen to Philippine Embassy officials at Yokohama North Dock on 30 March 2015.
Upon docking in Yokohama, the Filipino fishermen were transferred to the care of Philippine Embassy officials. After clearing Japanese Immigration, the stranded Filipinos experienced their first meal and their first night on land after their rescue. They underwent further medical tests to ensure that they continue to be in good health and they were provided additional clothing as protection from the cold spring weather. While in Tokyo, they also took the opportunity to experience Hanami (cherry blossom season) and visit the Franciscan Chapel, a Catholic church in Roppongi, for thanksgiving.
Philippine Embassy officials assist rescued fishermen departing for Manila today.
The five fishermen were issued travel documents and they departed early this afternoon for the Philippines where they are awaited by their families in Batanes. END
