TORRIJOS, Marinduque — A 61-year-old fisherman was rescued off the waters of Torrijos, Marinduque after drifting for more than four hours when his small boat was carried into a fish trap structure locally known as a baklad.

The fisherman, identified as Antonio Derama Regio, was discovered weak and exhausted in open waters by vlogger Sir Reggee Ricaplaza. Authorities immediately coordinated a rescue operation involving the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and local Bantay Dagat personnel.

After roughly four hours of travel, the fisherman was transported to Torrijos Hospital where doctors recommended at least eight hours of rest due to dehydration. Because of strong waves, the rescue team decided to postpone his trip home until the following morning to ensure safety.

Local officials, including Mayor Jose Stevenson M. Sangalang and Mayor Joey P. Peñaflor, along with Barangay Captain Elmer Pastrana, were commended for their swift support and coordination.

The successful rescue highlights the effectiveness of coordinated emergency response in coastal communities. Yet it also underscores the everyday risks faced by small-scale fishermen, many of whom venture into unpredictable seas with minimal navigation equipment and limited communication tools. For many coastal residents, fishing is not simply a livelihood — it is a necessity, often taken despite weather uncertainty.

This incident shows how preparedness can save lives, but also how thin the margin between survival and tragedy can be. So the question remains: Was this a testament to readiness — or a reminder of how vulnerable small fishermen still are at sea? (Larawan mula sa: Bondoc Peninsula / Facebook)