Injured seaman airlifted to Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines - A seaman who suffered a fractured back was airlifted from the deck of a Hong Kong-registered vessel by the Taiwan Air Force in a daring nighttime operation last March 1, according to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).

MECO Resident Representative Antonio Basilio cited the Chiayi Airbase Seagull rescue team for airlifting Rolet Formacil, a second engineer of the Hong Kong-registered freighter M/V Harotamou.

The vessel was traveling near Hengchun in southern Taiwan when, while carrying tools and implements, Formacil suddenly collapsed, complaining of severe back pain and paralysis. He was brought to a Taiwan hospital.

In his letter to Gen. Lei Yu-Chi, commanding general of the Taiwan Air Force Command headquarters, Basilio said the air force unit’s immediate response “saved (Formacil’s) life and prevented further damage to his back.”

MECO said the Harotamou was en route to Singapore from Nagoya, Japan for bunkering when the incident happened.

Formacil was later discharged by the hospital after his condition stabilized. MECO helped arrange his return to the Philippines for further medical treatment.   – Pia Lee-Brago