Fisherman Avelino Montibon is accompanied by authorities on his way to be reunited with his family.
Photo from Coast Guard Station Zambales Facebook post
Fisherman rescued by Vietnamese reunites with family after 2 months
ZAMBALES– A local fisherman who was rescued by Vietnamese fishermen two months ago was finally reunited with his family in Subic, this province.
Philippine Coast Guard Station Zambales identified the fisherman as Avelino Montibon, a resident of Barangay Calapandayan, Subic, this province.
The CGS Zambales reported that Montibon’s boat captain accounted that they left Brgy. Calapandayan with five crew on board for a fishing venture near or about 45 nautical miles south-west of Bajo De Masinloc.
Upon reaching the site, Montibon boarded a smaller boat to check their payao (fish aggregating device). Hours passed, and Montibon failed to return to the mother boat prompting the boat captain to conduct a search and rescue operation which yielded negative results.
Due to limited supply and provisions, the boat captain decided to return to Subic, Zambales and reported the incident to the Coast Guard Station Zambales last October 17.
Montibon said he spent ten days floating in the sea. He was rescued by the Vietnamese fishing vessel which brought him to Phu Yen Province, Vietnam, where he stayed for more than a month to end the mandatory quarantine.
Through the efforts of the Philippine Coast Guard and in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Vietnam, the survivor was able to return to the Philippines and reunite with his family.
The PCG District NCR – Central Luzon, led by CG COMMO Hostillo AE Cornelio, ensured the quick and safe return of the subject personnel with his family to their home in Brgy. Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales.
The fisherman and his family are very grateful to all the government agencies who helped with his return to the country a few days before Christmas as he wishes to celebrate it with his family.
Led by PCG Commandant, CG Admiral Leopoldo V Laroya also extended financial assistance to Montibon. By RUBEN A. VELORIA
