Philippine media reports that three fishermen whom local authorities had initially declared missing were finally found and rescued after a five-day search.
The three individuals, who all belong to the indigenous Ivatan people, had sailed out of the country's northernmost province of Batanes on Saturday, August 22.
One of the fishermen later told reporters that worsening weather caused by Tropical Storm Bavi had forced them to seek shelter on a nearby island as their boat had become too difficult to control.
Both government-operated and Good Samaritan vessels then began combing the area where the three Ivatan fishermen were last seen after authorities realised that they had not yet returned from their latest voyage.
While searching through the same area on Thursday, August 27, one group of fishermen spotted the wreckage of a boat on Batanes' Di'nem Island and decided to approach it to inspect it further despite the rough sea conditions.
The missing fishermen were found on the same island shortly afterwards. All three were reported to be in good health and have since been reunited with their respective families.
