The Philippine navy Sunday rescued four Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea, 19 days after they were declared missing from a fishing expedition off Zambales province, a top Navy official said.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Ernesto de Leon said the four fishermen were found at an island about 148 miles off Palawan, at around 07:00 a.m. local time.

The four were subject of search and rescue operations by the Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard since they were declared missing on March 25, three days after they left the Southwestern port of Subic for fishing.

De Leon said the Navy ship found the four and their fishing boat through the information provided by United States, whose surveillance aircraft PC3 Orion earlier spotted the fishermen.

Navy spokesman Capt. Geronimo Malabanan said the fishermen were provided the mandatory medical check up. "They were checked by doctors and are in good condition. They are already okay, they were fed, clothed and sheltered," he said.