Fisherman dead, four rescued by Navy off Zamboanga

September 15, 2020

A fisherman died while four others were rescued by the Philippine Navy after their boat capsized off the waters of Zamboanga City on Monday.Navy

Philippine Navy personnel onboard Navy Boat Attack BA492 were going to Varadero de Cawit from Naval Station Romulo Espaldon when they notice a capsized boat and its fishermen at the waters off San Mateo Point, Sinunuc around 5pm.

According to the Western Mindanao Command, the crew of BA492 conducted rescue operation after they notice the four fishermen standing on top of capsized MB Elsa 3.

The Navy's 4th Boat Attack Division and Naval Special Operations Unit-6 crew retrieved a trapped boat master inside the capsized vessel but was declared dead on arrival.

"The boat master was unconscious upon retrieval, was immediately provided with first aid treatment, and was subsequently rushed to Zamboanga City Medical Center but was unfortunately declared dead on arrival due to asphyxiation secondary to accidental drowning," it added.

The rescued fishermen were brought to Camp Navarro General Hospital for medical attention and debriefing.

The fatality was identified as Enricky Brocka, 55, the boat master while the survivors were identified as Erickson Broka, 19, Richard Brocka, 30, Oroy Gay, 27, and George Alvarasen, 36, all from Pagadian City.

In his message Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command extended the military's "deepest sympathy to the sons and relatives of the boat master who perished after their boat was capsized due to foul weather on Monday afternoon.

Vinluan said the Western Mindanao Command will provide all sorts of assistance to the victims. Robina Asido/DMS