Residents in Mati City, Davao Oriental rescued on Wednesday three Indonesian fishermen whose boat was drifting in the seas for four days.
Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, police regional director, identified the fishermen as Paulus Baeruma, 50, captain, and his crew members Batinus Paniat, 54, and Pente Laberu, 45, all from Tobelo in North Maluku, Indonesia.
Morales said the Indonesians were heading home on July 13 when their small boat was battered by strong winds and current. They drifted for four days and were swept into the coastline of Mati.
As the boat reached the shoreline of Barangay Bobon, Mati City, the fishermen sought help from local residents.
Members of the Mati City Police Station responded to the area after receiving the report.
Morales said the fishermen could not speak English during the interview by the responding police personnel and member of the Coast Guard in Mati City.
Immigration officers Livingstone Mudjakate and Florencio Dumaran Jr. arrived in Mati City the following day to bring the three fishermen to the Bureau of Immigration Office in Davao City for processing.
The Indonesian Consulate has also been informed of their ordeal.
Morales lauded the personnel of Mati CPS for providing necessary assistance to the foreign fishermen.
“Their good deeds will somehow strengthen the ties between the two countries to further improve in the years ahead,” he added.
