PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — A Filipino fisherman was rescued on New Year's Day Monday by Chinese fishermen after spending eight days adrift in the waters of the West Philippine Sea.

When rescued, Rosalon Cayon, 31, a resident of Barangay Liberty in this city, was clinging to a piece of styrofoam while tossed by waves.

Canyon said his fishing boat had a hull breach and capsized approximately 40 nautical miles from the Buliluyan coast in Bataraza town, southern Palawan, within the disputed territory.

He added that four Chinese fishermen saved him.

Lt. Colonel Rey Balido, who is currently serving as the acting spokesperson for

Armed Force of the Philippines Western Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Rey Balido said on Tuesday that their littoral monitoring system stationed at Rizal Reef played an important role in facilitating the rescue.

"They departed from Rio Tuba—on two separate boats. He drifted to the West Philippine Sea because his boat developed a hole," he said.

Cayon recounted that his ordeal began on 20 December 2023, when he and his fellow fisherman, "Junior," embarked on a fishing trip in separate boats.

Separated from Junior and with his vessel sinking beneath him on 23 December, Cayon clung to a piece of styrofoam to stay afloat.

"Chinese fishermen spotted him, aided him, and brought him to Rizal Reef Detachment," Balido said.