World | Philippines
Fisherman and rescuer dolphin die together
After a fierce battle with last week's storm in central Philippines, a dolphin and a shipwrecked fisherman eventually died as they reached the shore of Bacolod City, in central Philippines, a local government's report said. .
- By Rafael Juan, Correspondent
- Published: 00:15 June 29, 2008
Central Philippines: After a fierce battle with last week's storm in central Philippines, a dolphin and a shipwrecked fisherman eventually died as they reached the shore of Bacolod City, in central Philippines, a local government's report said.
Joseph Cesduyro, 34 - a fisherman from Cebu and a crew member of F/B Nicole Louise 2, which sank because of storm Fengshen - and an adult dolphin reached the shore of Burias Island together. "They were still breathing, but they eventually died," said the report which quoted fisherman Roberto Caratao as saying.
The dolphin was buried in Bacolod. Cesduyro's remains were brought to his father in nearby Cadiz City, his hometown, local government officials said, adding that two more slain fishermen were brought to Cadiz City.
An adult-sized dolphin was carrying Cesduyro up among gigantic waves last Monday, a day after his fishing vessel sank, recalled Caratao, adding,
"What I saw amazed me no end. It was like encountering a miracle."
Caratao and several other fishermen who survived the storm last week talked about swimming for 12 to 17 hours when their boats were wrecked by typhoon Fengshen.
"We swam mightily against a strong typhoon. We could hardly see anything while swimming," said Caratao, adding, "Our survival was a miracle. We feel that were were taken care of. Because of that, we will go back to the sea."
A total of 37 fishermen looked like bloodied warriors when they arrived at various shores of Bacolod after last week's storm had battered central Philippines.
"The seawater had cut my face," said Leo Alo, 25, also a surviving fisherman.
"I swam a 16-kilometre stretch from where my fishing boat, F/B Vicor, sank, up to Sapatos Island," said Alo.
Captain Celso Almonicar said he and the other crew members of their ill-fated M/V South Sea stayed alive on styrofoam floaters while at sea. "We reached Sapatos Island, which had jagged rocks and spiny sea shells. We were all wounded as we went inland," he recalled, adding that all his 29 crew members survived.
"What we went through has not scared me. I will not stay away from the sea," Almonicar said.
Some of the fatalities of the storm included fishermen and crew members aboard eight fishing vessels and a cargo ship which capsized because of typhoon.
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