Search on for missing 12 La Union fishermen

By Thom Picana

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Government authorities and volunteers are still conducting search and rescue operations for the remaining 12 missing fishermen from Agoo, La Union beefed up by two helicopters dispatched by the Philippine Navy dispatched Thursday to scour coastal areas of Ilocos Norte up to Zambales.

Before the Typhoon Frank hit northern Luzon, 23 fishermen from this province were reported fishing. Eleven fishermen were later found by rescuers Tuesday morning along the coast of the China Sea in Pilar, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur. Three were earlier rescued. Eugene Cabrera, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, said the search mission “cannot yet relax until all lost fishermen are accounted for and safely home.”

Cabrera told local journalists the search has been widened to other coastal areas in northern luzon.

He said two naval ships, including speed boats, continue to patrol the coastal areas of Lingayen Gulf while a team was also sent to the seas of northern La Union.

Still missing were Lomer Garcia, Andy Domondon, Pepito Albay, Fernan Hugo, and Michael Garcia all residents of Barangay San Nicolas West, Agoo; Salvador Supsupin, Sixto Gualberto, Edwin Cachula, Boy Estacio, of Barangay Balwarte, Agoo; Bobby Ofiana, of Barangay San Isidro, Agoo and Amado Fangonilo, Roberto Eslao, both of San Juan, Agoo.

On June 24, rescuers spotted the 11 fishermen near the seashore clinging to the wreckage of their motorboats around 9:30 a.m.

Rescuers brought the rescued fishermen to Sta. Lucia Hospital for treatment. They were later flown by two helicopters to the La Union Medical Center in Agoo for further treatment.

The rescued fishermen were identified as Carlos Soriano, Macmac Celeste, Edmund Hugo, Benito Soriano, Rodel Bacalan, Julieto Sarmiento, Noel Rulloda, Jose Carrera, Vicente Ofiana, Roland Cadima and Carlos Ofiana. The provincial government of La Union asked all rescuers to widen their search for the missing fishermen.