US Navy says it rescued 3 Pinoy fishers adrift in South China Sea for days

MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino fishermen who spent around four days adrift in the West Philippine Sea after their engine flooded were rescued by a United Navy cargo ship on New Year's Day, according to a statement by the US Navy.

The crew of the USNS Cesar Chavez reportedly spotted their distressed fishing vessel around 12:45 p.m. on January 1 and launched a rescue boat to retrieve the fishermen, according to a statement from the US 7th Fleet Public Affairs. All three were found in good health after a medical evaluation aboard the American ship. 

"The fishermen reported that their vessel’s engine flooded on December 28 due to heavy seas, leaving them adrift," the statement by the US 7th Fleet Public Affairs read. 

"They had departed port on December 27 and survived on rationed food and water before being located by Cesar Chavez," it added.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed in a statement Friday afternoon, January 2, that the rescued individuals — identified as Michael Lebios, Michael John Lebios, and Lorjun Lupague — were spotted by the US Navy cargo ship approximately 50 nautical miles west of Bolinao, Pangasinan.  

This means the rescue took place well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, the area of the sea extending up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from a coastal state's baseline. Foreign vessels can pass through a nation's EEZ without prior permission but must keep to internationally lawful uses of the sea as stipulated in UNCLOS. 

"According to the U.S. Navy, the fisherfolk were sighted clinging to their submerged motorbanca, which was tied to a payao, and were promptly rescued," the PCG said.

The PCG said that upon turnover at Riviera Pier, Olongapo City, Zambales, the PCG and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Infanta provided medical assistance and confirmed that all three were in good physical condition.  

"The PCG extends its gratitude to the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14) for its timely humanitarian assistance and reiterates its commitment to safeguarding the safety of Filipino fisherfolk at sea," the PCG statement read.

The Cesar Chavez, a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship, was conducting routine logistics and resupply missions in support of the 7th Fleet when the crew spotted the fishing vessel.