FISHERMAN MISSING FOR 46 DAYS, FOUND ALIVE WATERS OFF BATANES

A fisherman who went missing at sea in Quezon a month ago has survived and was found alive near the waters off Batanes on Thursday (Photo courtesy of PCG/Daily Tribune)

A 49-year-old fisherman from Infanta, Quezon who was reported lost since August 4 and went missing for 46 days, was found alive off Batanes keeping himself afloat in the open sea according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The PCG reported that the patrol team sighted a white motorbanca with an elderly man on board. Fisherman Robin Dejillo a resident of Purok Rosas, Barangay Dinahican, Infanta, Quezon was carried by strong currents and big waves 700 kilometers away and was rescued in the waters near Basco, Batanes. 

He survived in the middle of the ocean for about six weeks by drinking rainwater and eating fish. He was also sustained by coconuts floating on water according to the PCG.

“Mr. Dejillo shared that he failed to return to their mother boat after his motorbanca ran out of gas while conducting a fishing venture,” the PCG said. 

The Coast Guard has assisted Dejillo and towed his fishing boat to the Port of Basco. “The PCG and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) coordinated his transport from the Port of Basco to the Batanes General Hospital for medical treatment.” 

The CGDSTL said in another statement, “The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) coordinated with the Coast Guard Aviation Command to deploy an aerial asset for Mr. Dejillo’s transport from Batanes to his hometown in Infanta, Quezon, after a thorough medical assessment.”

Source: GMA Integrated News 

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