BY MAI LADIAO
AKLAN – A stroke of luck led to the safe rescue of a fisherman who found himself stranded aboard a capsized boat overnight in the waters off Barangay Songcolan, Batan, Aklan.
The fisherman was identified as Bobby Birol, 37, and a resident of the aforementioned area.
According to information released by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Batan’s neighboring New Washington town, Birol departed Barangay Songcolan to conduct fishing ventures at about 6 a.m. on Feb. 24 onboard FB Heart BJ.
At around 8 p.m., on the same date, while on his way home, he unfortunately encountered a squall that caused his boat to capsize.
Birol recounted that he managed to cling to the overturned boat and float in the sea with no means of calling for help at that time.
He was luckily spotted at about 6:10 a.m. the following day, Feb. 25.
Joenel Dela Cruz, who was passing by onboard his motor banca, towed Birol’s motor banca en route to the port in Barangay Dumaguit, New Washington.
Birol is now in good condition and has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to those who assisted in his rescue./PN
