SBMA rescues 6 Infanta fishermen

By ANTHONY BAYARONG, The Manila Times Central Luzon Bureau

SUBIC, Zambales - Six fishermen where rescued here Monday by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority after they were reported missing on Friday. Their boat capsized when the province reeled from tropical storm "Caloy."

SBMA identified the fishermen as Benjamin Rendon, 49; Julius Meru, 24; Ben Bualido, 43; Isagani Lucero, 46; Richie Marcha, 24; and Edwin Monios, 16, all from Barangay Kados, Infanta, Pangasinan.

According to the authority port operation office, it picked up a distress signal reporting that six fishermen were adrift off the Redondo Peninsula.

SBMA immediately dispatch MV Kalayaan, a newly acquired rescue boat, to save the fishermen.

The fishermen were given medical attention and brought to shore, the office said.

"We were on our way back when the storm hit and capsized our banca. We could not radio for help because all our equipment was damage by the rain," Rendon said.

Rendon disclosed they managed to survive by eating floating water lilies, small crabs and drinking rainwater.