Daring Navy rescue saves Sarangani fisherman

Makar Wharf, GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 12, 2007) – As the tropical storm (international name: Man-yi) was moving into the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday evening, the Philippine Navy pulled off a daring rescue of a fisherman from Maasim, Sarangani province whose boat had capsized near Balut Island (Davao del Sur).

"The sea was very rough and gusty winds made the rescue very risky," Navy Commander Vicente Cejoco, commanding officer of BRP Sultan Kudarat, informed Gov. Migs Dominguez early Wednesday in a text message.

"Sa sobrang lakas ng hangin talaga, muntik na kaming lumubog," Cejoco told reporters later.

Cejoco said Dexter Tapan, from barangay Kamanga, Maasim "was suffering from hypothermia after four hours of water immersion until we plucked him out to safety."

The incident happened at around midnight Tuesday while BRP Sultan Kudarat was sailing from Davao City to General Santos City .

"We fed and gave him dry clothing. He is in good condition now," Cejoco told the governor.

Gov. Dominguez immediately dispatched his staff to assist the Philippine Navy in bringing the fisherman and his badly-damaged banca back to his village.

Tapan, 27, said he went fishing at 3 p.m. Tuesday from Maasim.

Three hours later and when the clouds went dark while he approached Balut Island, he decided to return home but his banca was battered by strong winds and rough seas.

"Nagbitay akong katig. Bigla nalang naunlod, unya wala nabalik. Naputol," Tapan said.

Cejoco said: "Meron po kaming narinig na sumusigaw ng tulong, and then upon hearing the voice, when we switched our search light, nakita naming may lumubog."

"We went back immediately so in a few minutes we were able to get and recover the guy," he said.

Tapan's banca was hauled onboard the Navy boat, as well.

In Sarangani Tuesday night, many coastal villages were affected by power outages as strong winds hit the coastline.

Fishing remains a major activity of residents in Sarangani coastal areas, near General Santos City which is the second major fish landing in the Philippines. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)