The Philippine Coast Guard Sunday airlifted to Manila a sick cook of a Chinese research vessel off the Polillo Island some 100 km east to Manila for medical treatment.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the cook, identified as Xu Zukui, has been ill since Friday but was only rescued off Polillo Island Sunday morning when his ship, the M/V Xiang Yang Hung 09, got near enough for the coast guard's helicopter to reach.

A Chinese consular officer in Manila has confirmed the report.

Coast guard aviation group acting chief of staff Commander Allan Corpuz said Xu's upper body appeared to be bloated.

He said Xu fell ill while the ship was on its way back to China after a mission to Southeast Asia.

Xu's colleagues informed Chinese authorities about the cook's medical condition. China's maritime search and rescue center then sent out a request for rescue to the Philippines, the country nearest the ship, he said.

Corpuz said the request was issued on Friday, but the vessel was beyond the reach of the coast guard helicopter. The Chinese vessel was then instructed to go toward Polillo Island.

Source: Xinhua