FIVE persons were rescued by the military’s Naval Task Group (NTG) Sulu on Sunday in the waters of Patikul, Sulu, two days after their motorized boat was reported to have capsized as a result of bad weather the past two days.
Joint Task Force Sulu spokesman Lt. Col. Ronaldo Mateo said the victims were rescued by elements of the NTG Sulu in the waters between Bacungan and Panganaa Islands at Barangay Bonbon, Patikul, after their boat sank on Friday in Patikul.
The victims were identified by Mateo through a report from NTG Sulu commander Marine Col. Ruben Candelario. Rescued were Kaisar Pulalon, Judimar Pulalon, Alvin Pulalon, Rene Pulanon, and Alnaser Hadjirul, all of Barangay Tanjung, Indanan, Sulu.
The five were brought to the nearest wharf at Barangay Tando Batu, Luuk where members of the Rural Health Unit of Luuk municipality gave them first aid treatment.
Another crewman, Arman Pulalon, is still missing and a continuing search and rescue operation is underway.
According to Mateo, municipal officials reported to the military the boat’s sinking on Friday, prompting Candelario to dispatch the naval task group’s Multi-Purpose Attack Craft (MPAC) BA 493 to conduct search and rescue in the general vicinity of the Sulu Sea.
After almost 17 hours of search operations, the NTG Sulu rescued the five crewmen, except Pulalon.
“These individuals are local fishermen from Indanan, Sulu who came to Patikul waters amid heavy rains to fish,” Candelario said.
“I commend the personnel of NTG Sulu/4th Marine Brigade for the successful search and rescue operations,” said Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.
“In close coordination with the LGUs of Patikul and Luuk, we are still searching for the last remaining fisherman in the coastal waters of both municipalities. I have high hopes that Arman Pulalon will survive the tragedy,” Gonzales added.