Philippine Navy personnel stationed in Palawan have rescued 20 fishermen from Cebu after their boat capsized due to strong waves triggered by storm “Ondoy.”

Navy spokesman, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said reports provided to the Navy headquarters by Commodore Orwen J. Cortez, Naval Forces West (NFW) Commander, showed the fishermen were on board F/B John Paul bound for Sinamahan Reef when they encountered big waves caused by storm “Ondoy.”

Their fishing boat eventually capsized.

Four other fishermen remain missing.

Arevalo said Navy personnel aboard M/L Super Nashville conducting routine maritime patrol immediately acted on reports of the sea mishap and rescued the 20 at vicinity 10 nautical miles off Sinamahan Reef.

Rescued were Armando Wagwag, 57, owner and boat captain; Micheal Conversion, 40; Romulo Wagwag, 25; Gomercindo Tanyo, 24; Charlito Celiona, 51; Eric Macaraya, 37; Renato Degrano, 18; Roman Tanyo, 31; Raymund Duallo, 26; Reymundo Duallo, 50; Micheal Duallo, 30; Edgar Lambuon, 18; Saturnino Unok, 36; Rolando Amorin, 32; Diosephos Degrano, 20; Martin Segurino, 51; Isgani Flores, 36; Reymundo Balasi, 36; Juanito Paquhibot, 39; and Charlito Wagwag, 35. All are residents of Baring, Lapu Lapu City.

Meanwhile, those who remain missing were Romulo Manahay, 31; Roque Legaspi, 32; Federico Amit Jr, 28; and German Gonzales, 30. Arevalo said the NFW has dispatched available assets to conduct SAR for the remaining four.

The rescued fishermen were brought to Balabac town, while Cortez has directed BRP Juan Magluyan (PG 392) to transport the 20 to Puerto Princesa City for further medical care.

“Amid deployment of Fleet-Marine units in rescue, retrieval and relief operations in Quezon and Bulacan provinces and in Metro Manila towns of CAMANAVA, Parañaque, Cainta, Pasig, and Marikina, the Navy is perpetually ready to respond to various distress calls. We will remain committed to be at the forefront of humanitarian and development endeavors in support to national government for the welfare of our fellow Filipinos,” Arevalo said.