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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
January 2, 2026 | 2:48pm
Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Deluca, from Cincinnati, raises the American flag during a sea and anchor detail aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18), Aug. 16. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
US Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Butler
MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino fishermen who spent around four days adrift in the South China Sea after their engine flooded were rescued by a United Navy cargo ship on New Year's Day, according to a statement by the US Navy.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has not yet confirmed the rescue and has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
The crew of the USNS Cesar Chavez reportedly spotted the distressed fishing vessel around 12:45 p.m. on January 1 and launched a rescue boat to rescue the fishermen, according to a statement from the US 7th Fleet Public Affairs. All three were found in good health after a medical evaluation aboard the American ship.
The statement did not specify at which part of the vast sea the three Filipino fishermen were found.
"The fishermen reported that their vessel’s engine flooded on December 28 due to heavy seas, leaving them adrift," the statement read.
"They had departed port on December 27 and survived on rationed food and water before being located by Cesar Chavez," it added.
The US said they immediately notified Philippine authorities after the rescue and coordinated with the Philippine government to return the fishermen home.
The Cesar Chavez, a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship, was conducting routine logistics and resupply missions in support of the 7th Fleet when the crew spotted the disabled fishing vessel.
