GENSAN FISHERMAN LOST AT SEA, RESCUED IN PALAU  

23 July 2007—The Philippine Embassy in Koror , Palau reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the embassy assisted Jonathan Tawameo, a fisherman from General Santos City , who was lost at sea during a storm and landed on an uninhabited island.  

Embassy Charge d'Affaires J. Anthony A. Reyes reported that Tawameo piloted a 14-foot fishing boat that operated with a larger fishing vessel. Tawameo's ordeal began on May 17, when he left the mother ship to fish alone. Tawameo claimed that he noted the signs of low pressure forming in the area, indicating a coming storm. He returned to where the mother ship was, but found it had left.  

Tawameo said that he was caught in the storm and drifted for ten days, subsisting on rainwater and fish.  

On May 27 he navigated his boat to a small, uninhabited island, where he found an unoccupied hut, and fishing gear. He sustained himself for three days by eating wild papaya and fish.  

He was spotted and rescued on May 30 by a Palauan and brought to Sonsorol Island , where he was treated with hospitality by the villagers.  

The villagers radioed the marine authorities of Palau , which dispatched a patrol boat to bring him to the main island of Koror , some 800 kilometers away, arriving there on June 28.  

The Philippine Embassy at Koror met Tawameo and interviewed him.  

Arrangements were quickly made for Tawameo's repatriation. Tawameo flew to Cebu City on July 18, where he was met by a representative of his boat's owner, who then facilitated his onward trip to General Santos City . END

/jay

(Home)