CEBU, Philippines - A 24-year-old man was rescued by a vessel of 2GO Shipping when he was found floating at sea off Batangas last Sunday afternoon.
Weniel Azcuna, information officer of the Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas, said the man, identified as Edmar Ricabo, was reportedly on board M/V St. Francis Xavier heading for Dumaguete City, which left Manila at 8 p.m. the night before when someone allegedly pushed him into the water.
Details of the supposed incident were sketchy because Ricabo was reportedly drunk at that time and could not recall specifics.
“Based on our investigation, according to Ricabo, nga naa daw nituklod niya mao natagak siya pero matud pa niya di na kaayo siya makahinumdum sa panghitabo kay naka inom siya atong panahuna,” Azcuna said.
Fortunately for Ricabo, the 2GO vessel, M/V St. Pope John Paul II, passed by him and fished him out of the water at 4 p.m. Sunday. If timetable is to be followed, he was rescued approximately 21 hours after M/V St. Francis Xavier left the port of Manila although it was never determined when specifically within this time period Ricabo was allegedly pushed into the water.
M/V St. Pope John Paul II left Manila at 9 a.m. on November 23 for Cebu City. Azcuna said Ricabo did not sustain injuries except that he was suffering from fatigue and hypothermia when rescued.
Ricabo is a resident of Tanjay, Negros Oriental. (FREEMAN)