VietNamNet Bridge – The authorities of Khanh Hoa province, in central Vietnam, on April 23 handed over a Filipino fisherman named Richard Bacunawa, to the Embassy of Philippines in Vietnam.


This fisherman was rescued by a Vietnamese boat in the waters of Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands nearly two months ago.

According to Khanh Hoa’s border guards, this man caught fish alone in the waters of the Philippines. His boat was sunk by strong waves and wind. He floated for several days and was rescued by Vietnamese fishermen on February 21 in the waters of Truong Sa Island District of Vietnam.

After that, the man was transferred to a ship of the navy and then handed over to Khanh Hoa’s border guard forces.

Colonel Nguyen Duc Phuc, vice commander of the Khanh Hoa’s border guard forces, says that the Filipino fisherman was exhausted and got panicky when he was rescued. He was treated at a hospital of the navy. However, the fisherman did not cooperate with local authorities, so it was a trouble to identify him.

After two months in Vietnam, the man has fully recovered and he told Vietnamese authorities his nationality.

The Embassy of Philippines has received and taken him home.

Mr. Hector Reyes Herrera, military attaché of the Embassy of Philippines, thanked Vietnamese friends for rescuing and assisting the Filipino fisherman.

Nam Nguyen