Fishermen rescued after fishing boat explodes off Sibuyan sea

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Five fishermen were plucked to safety after their motor banca caught fire off Sibuyan Sea on September 3.

PHOTO KALIBO MDRRMO 

The skipper of the boat identified as 39-year old Felipe Abelardo Jr. and his crew managed to jump into the sea to escape the blaze. The fishermen were drifting in Sibuyan waters for more than one hour before the crew of another fishing boat spotted the fishing boat in distress.  

Abelardo, resident of San Jose, Antique and temporarily staying at Sitio Baybay, New Buswang in Kalibo, Aklan, sustained first-degree burns on his face, feet and right upper arm.

Another victim identified as 24-year old Rodel Jimenez, who also lives in New Buswang, suffered lighter burns.

Abelardo was sent to Aklan Cooperative Mission Hospital in Barangay Andagao for treatment. Three other fishermen were unhurt.

Filman Ebanola, boat captain from Antique who rescued the fishermen, said the engine of the ill-fated boat exploded while fishing on Monday afternoon.

“Habang umaandar, nahulog ang container ng gasolina sa makina ng bangka dahil sa malaking alon, saka sumabog itong bangka,” he said.

“Nakita ko sila na nasusunog, mga 3 miles ang layo sa amin. Kasama ko ang 10 tripulante na nag-rescue. Noong malapit na kami sa kanila, lumangoy din sila kahit sugatan palapit sa bangka. Isinakay namin upang maisugod sa hospital.”

Ebanola said the fishermen were safely back to shore near Barangay Pook port at around 2:45 a.m. of September 4 where emergency responders from Kalibo Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Alpha team and the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office-Aklan Response Team (ART) were also waiting.

“Mga 4 p.m. namin sila rescue noong Lunes at nakaabot kami sa Pook mga Martes ng umaga,” Ebanola said.