The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), utilized its two multi-mission offshore vessels (MMOVs) on Friday, January 31, to ferry 37 rescued Filipino fisherfolk who were stranded in Balabac, Palawan while en route to the West Philippine Sea. 

Based on the report, F/V ANDREI SARAH, carrying 37 crew members, departed San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on January 18. Due to rough seas and engine failure, the boat captain directed the vessel toward a calmer area between Balabac and Tawi-Tawi Islands, intending to reach Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan for repairs. However, the vessel struck a reef and broke into half near Onok Island in Balabac at 4:00 a.m. on January 29, causing it to capsize. 

The incident was quickly reported to a Coast Guard detachment in Onok Island, prompting immediate assistance from the Coast Guard Station in Balabac Island. By 10:00 a.m. of the same day, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel arrived and rescued all 37 crew members. The fishers, along with their recovered equipment, were taken to the Coast Guard Station in Balabac, Palawan. 

On Friday, January 31, BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV 3003) and BRP Datu Bankaw (MMOV 3004), two of the four BFAR vessels that successfully resupplied fishers in the vicinity of Guntao Island in El Nido, Palawan and Bancalan Island in Balabac, Palawan, retrieved 32 of the 37 stranded crew members and ferried them back to their homeport. Upon their arrival at Port of Caminawit in Occidental Mindoro, the 32 fishers were given provisions and medical assistance. 

Meanwhile, the remaining five rescued individuals, including the master fisherman and boat mechanic, stayed in Balabac to oversee the salvaged fishing gears. 

Source: BFAR