They also learned that the captain of their own ship and the two crew with him were rescued several weeks earlier by another Taiwanese fishing vessel, but were unclear as to whether it was the boat they'd set out to catch. There have been no reported sightings of the other three bangkas.
The Manila Economic and Culture Office, the Philippines' de facto embassy in Taiwan, eventually contacted the three men's families in Mindanao and arranged for their travel documents to Manila. The body of Jaime Canono remains in Taiwan, as authorities have been unable to locate his family. Pancho, Balaga and Jacosalem returned last Wednesday, one day after telling their story to the Taipei Times.
Would they return to work as fishermen? Balaga resignedly shook his head and said that he has little choice. Pancho, who had sworn he'd never get back in a boat, now says that it's too soon to decide. While he'd like to retire, he still has a family to feed. What's more, his 22-year-old son has already expressed a desire to become a fisherman like his father.
"I told him I would support his decision, if that's what he wants to do," Pancho said. "But I will teach him everything I know and how to survive." He looks for a moment at Jacosalem, the youngest of them who has remained silent throughout the interview. He doesn't speak Tagalog and has difficulty communicating with the translator, but remains quiet even when asked questions by Pancho or Balaga. He seems reluctant to talk about what he's been through, deeply saddened and almost despondent. Perhaps Pancho sees the same future for his son that Jacosalem sees for himself -- hard work for low pay and the high risk that the same will happen again.
It happens all the time, Father Ciceri said. "Every year we have a few cases" in Kaohsiung, as does every Stella Maris Center around the world.
"They all have the same story. They're the lucky ones."
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