Guimaras fishermen survive six days at sea

Four fishermen from Guimaras were rescued after spending six days at sea, clinging to their capsized boat until they were found by fellow fishermen in the waters of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental.

Wilfredo Estañol, 68; Vicente Tacda, 54; Edward Labios, 43; and Louie Ganea, 16, all from Calaya, Nueva Valencia, set out to fish on the afternoon of April 9. They were due back the following morning, but when their boat capsized, their return was thwarted.

Estañol recounted that Tacda had unbalanced the boat while preparing dinner, leading to the capsize. Estañol’s efforts to keep the boat afloat proved lifesaving, especially on the third day at sea.

On April 15, an emotional reunion with their families took place at Ro-Ro Wharf in Hoskyn, Jordan, where the Philippine Coast Guard delivered them from Bacolod City to Guimaras. They were accompanied by Joe Yusay, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer of Hinoba-an.

Nueva Valencia Mayor Paul Vincent De La Cruz, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Teresita Siason, and Nueva Valencia Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Loren Gallarda were present to greet the fishermen.

During their ordeal, they managed to catch only one fish with their net and resorted to eating sea grass to stave off hunger. To avoid dehydration, Estañol said they moistened their mouths with seawater to produce saliva.

Estañol, who owned the boat, encouraged his crew to eat raw sea catch to maintain their energy and endure the harsh sunlight as they drifted.

Though hope waned at times, Estañol’s encouragement was pivotal in their survival.

Despite being ignored by passing vessels, the will to see their families again kept them enduring until their rescue by Hinoba-an fishermen, whom Estañol called their “guardian angels.”

The town of Hinoba-an supported the fishermen post-rescue with hospitalization, financial aid, and Ms. Siason relayed the rescue news to Mayor De La Cruz promptly. The Provincial Government of Guimaras provided relief packs including rice, canned goods, and noodles through its disaster management office.