Taiwanese fishing vessel rescued three Filipino fishermen off Batanes waters on Wednesday, April 24. 

Mr. Arthur Yang of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office informed the PCG that there were fishermen rescued by Taiwanese fishing vessel Xhin Zhenfeng No. 3 after their fishing raft engine malfunctioned. The fishers were temporarily transferred to the Taiwanese vessel and managed to tow the distressed boat to Itbayat Island, Batanes.

PCG Multi-Role Response Vessel 4402 (BRP Malabrigo) coordinated with Xhin Zhenfeng crew for the rendezvous position and proceeded to pick-up the fishermen.

The three fishermen namely Mr. Redento Fronda, 39 yrs old, Mr. Jovani Tablisima, 24 yrs old and Mr. Roland Duerme, 18 yrs old, residents of Babuyan Island, Batanes were transferred to MRRV 4402. Meanwhile, their fishing raft was towed back to Basco, Batanes. 

The three fishermen went on fishing venture off Calayaan Island when they encountered engine trouble and drifted for four days. 

About 11:25AM the same date, MRRV 4402 safely arrived at Port of Basco, Batanes. Likewise, the three fishermen and their fishing boat were turned-over to Coast Guard Station Batanes for proper disposition.

PCG expressed its gratitude to Taiwan for rescuing the distressed fishermen.