SUBIC, Zambales -- Five fishermen from the coastal village of this town arrived home safe after they were stranded in Vietnam for several months, authorities here said over the weekend.
The fishermen, who were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel, were taken to Hanoi for custody after they were found afloat in China waters.
Government officials particularly from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) helped in the repatriation of the fishermen, who were all from Barangay Calapacuan, said a local government official here.
The fishermen were identified as Nole Villa, Joseph Alburo, 17, Ricardo Fontellas, 30, Richard Nicolas, 23, and Rommel Romerosa, 38.
A resident at the fishing village told Central Luzon Daily that the fishermen were already feared dead by their families and relatives.

Reports said one fisherman identified as Maraino Salonga, 55, died while aboard the Vietnemese fishing vessel. The body was left in Hanoi.

The fishermen left Subic onboard F/B EJ Brothers for “Red Bank” in Palawan when it was hit by big waves last January 26, cutting it into two.

Four of them were rescued but six were tossed by big waves brought about by thunderstorm.