01 April 2015 - Five Filipino fishermen from Itbayat, Batanes, who were rescued at sea, met with Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez on March 31. Their rescue, stay in Japan and return to the Philippines were the result of an active cooperation between the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, US Navy and the US Embassy in Tokyo, and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Glenford Gutierrez Villa, Jonas Salamagos Manzo, Joseph Castillejos, James Cano Bata, and Froilan Ibanes Libaton floated at sea for four days and three nights before they were rescued by the USS Blue Ridge, a US 7th Fleet flagship vessel, on March 25. They arrived in Yokohama on March 30 and turned over by US officials to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
The five fishermen said that 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.
Upon docking in Yokohama, the US Navy transferred the Filipino fishermen 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 or cherry blossom season and visit the Franciscan Chapel, a Catholic church in Roppongi, for thanksgiving.
The five fishermen were issued travel documents and departed Japan yesterday afternoon to return to Batanes, where they were awaited by their families. END