The Chinese then threw life ropes and life jackets to the floating fishermen. They were then pulled onto the survey ship.
The ship also towed the two damaged fishing boats back to Sibunag wharf, where the fishermen live.
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"After returning to the wharf, the two fishermen and their families expressed their deep gratitude to the surveyors. They thanked the Chinese for rescuing them and saving their properties as they towed back their fishing boats without claiming any charges," the Chinese Embassy said.
The surveyors were part of a team working on the feasibility study of the PGN Island Bridge Project, which was one of the agreements signed during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines last year.
While Chinese surveyors came to the aid of Filipino fishermen in need in the Western Visayas, Chinese vessels have been denying access to Filipino fishermen on sandbars near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
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Kalayaan Mayor Roberto del Mundo admitted that the presence of Chinese ships in the area have been affecting fishing activities, according to a report from Inquirer.net.
The Philippine military, however, said that there have been no reports of harassment of Filipino fishermen near Pag-asa Island.
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“We have not received any complaint or report from them that they are being harassed or driven away from that area,” the AFP's Western Command said.
Chinese surveyors rescue Filipino fishermen who have been floating from a plank after their boats collapsed and shattered due to strong winds and waves. Chinese Embassy/Release
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This article first appeared on Philippine Star.
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