Search on for 4 missing Pangasinan fishermen

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for four fishermen from Bolinao, Pangasinan who were reported missing since July 21 while fishing along the shoreline in Bolinao town.

           

The operations are being conducted in the West Philippine Sea by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the police.

           

PDRRMC spokesperson Avenix Arenas said the four fishermen ignored a gale warning issued by the Coast Guard through the local government unit (LGU) of Bolinao at the height of tropical depression "Ferdie."

           

The missing fishermen were identified as TeodoroCaampued, 60; Robinson Siso, 50; Rogelio Canayon, 35; and Levi Caballero, 23, all of Barangay Victory, Bolinao.

           

According to a report, the fishing boat of the fishermen was swept by high waves while they were fishing in the West Philippine Sea.

           

It is believed that boat was destroyed.

           

Arenas expressed optimism that the fishermen are still alive and might be clinging unto the wreckage of their boat and other floating objects.

           

She said there were incidents in the past that fishermen in similar situation were rescued by other fishermen and passing international shipping vessels after several days at sea.

           

Arenas asked residents of the coastal areas to immediately report to the police if the missing fishermen landed on their shores.

           

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Melchito Castro reported that two other fishermen were rescued last Friday by a passing oil tanker.

           

Rescued were ParonCaampued Sr., 40, and his son ParonCaampued Jr., also from Barangay Victory, Bolinao,

           

Their fishing boat developed engine trouble in mid sea.

           

But as they were fixing the engine of the boat, an oil tanker that came from Bataan and was proceeding to San Fernando Port in La Union passed by and rescued the fishermen.

           

The two were already back in Bolinao.

           

The Coast Guard station in Sual said that despite the gale warning, these fishermen managed to sneak past their men and members of the Bolinao police guarding the shore at night to fish to the West Philippine Sea. -- PNA