Missing Filipino fishermen rescued by Hong Kong vessel

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Four missing Filipino fishermen have been rescued by a Hong Kong-registered vessel off northern Philippine island of Mindoro during the height of Typhoon Rammasun (local name: Glenda) on Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said today.

The fishermen, riding an unnamed motor banca, were on their way home after a fishing venture off Busuanga in western Philippine province of Palawan, when typhoon Rammasun battered the region.  

The outrigger of their motor banca broke and the vessel sank near Mindoro Island.

MV Pacific Pioneer, the Hong Kong-based vessel, was on the way to Mindoro to take shelter and avoid the onslaught of Typhoon Rammasun when its duty officer spotted the fishermen clinging on the broken outrigger at said vicinity at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

The crew then began rescue operations and provided them with clothing and food.

The rescued fishermen were turned over to the PCG at South Harbor in Manila today.