Two Filipino fishermen were drifting at sea for seven days before being rescued by a Taiwanese fishing vessel on June 17 northeast of Batanes.
The crew member of the Taiwanese fishing vessel provided them with food and water, according to a press release by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines.
To help the duo to return to the Philippines, Teco coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office and agreed to ship them to the Basco Port in Batanes.
Taiwan Coast Guard immediately sent its Cutter to pick up the fishermen and eventually transferred them to the M/B Cape Faro with PCG Station Batanes.
The rescued fishermen were brought to Basco General Hospital for medical check-up. They were assessed to be in good condition.
The investigation revealed that Gilbert Dacaya,18, and Romnick Rivera, 17, both residents of Camiguin Island, Cagayan Valley went on a fishing on June 11, 2018.
While on their fishing venture, their motor banca encountered engine trouble, causing them to drift towards northeast of Yami Island and stayed afloat for seven days until they were rescued by the Taiwanese F/V Juin Fu Xing which happened to pass through the nearby waters.
The rescued fishermen were scheduled to be brought to Tuguegarao City on Tuesday before their return to Camiguin Island.