MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese woman who tried to swim her way across the South China Sea back to her homeland was rescued in waters off Cagayan last Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday.

Xiong Won Jing, 18, was suffering from depression after leaving her work at the Eastern Hawaii Casino in the province when she attempted to cross the sea, according to a report reaching PCG headquarters in Manila.

Xiong was found floating around 300 meters off a beach resort in Sta. Ana town by fishermen in the area.

The nearby PCG station dispatched a team and rescued the Chinese national.

“Ms. Xiong has just resigned as an employee of Eastern Hawaii Casino in Cagayan and due to depression she attempted to swim back to China,” the PCG said in a report.

Based on the report, the Chinese woman was brought to the Sta. Ana Community Hospital in Barangay Centro for medical attention before she was turned over to the representatives of the casino firm.