17 fishers rescued, 3 drown off Pangasinan towns’ coast

By Freddie Lazaro

SUAL, Pangasinan -- Rescue teams recovered bodies of five persons who drowned Dec. 9 off the coast of this town even as 17 fishers were rescued at sea in Bolinao town, also in the province.

The five victims were swimming at a shallow portion of the beach off the coast of Barangay Aloleng in nearby Agno town when strong waves carried them out to the open sea.

PO1 Elisa Gacusan of the Agno police told newsmen rescue teams from the police and the Philippine Coast Guard recovered the bodies of Rose Ann Mapala, 18, Vanessa Orania, 13, Charles John Orania, 11, Danzel Mae Manikan, 12, Glamore Rivera, 14, all residents of Barangay Tuque Grande of Bani town.

Lone survivor Oliver Rivera, 10, was rescued and was treated by Dr. Joseph Lopez, the municipal health officer of Agno.

Rescue teams recovered the bodies of Orania and Mapala Saturday while the other fatalities were found the next day.

Probers said the older companions of the victims were left at the beach resort.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard reported a passing vessel rescued the two fishermen Victor Caasi and Nathaniel Rocaberte when their fishing boat capsized near Bolinao Island in Pangasinan Saturday afternoon.

One of their companions Elloc Irindio remained missing.

The M/V Indamex Godavari was passing by Bolinao

In Bolinao, 17 fishermen were rescued Dec. 6 by lawmen off the shores here. But three other fishermen were still missing.

The 20 fishermen went fishing in the South China Sea Dec. 3 on board six motorized bancas but they encountered giant waves, causing their bancas to capsize.

SPO4 Henson Calicdan, deputy chief of police of Bolinao, identified the recued fishermen as Joel Dulay, 39; Romeo Inocensio,38; Macario Camat, Joseph Basay, Joel Tresenio, 30; Ricardo Carino, 40; Alejandro Caranza,38;Danny Dagup, Manolo Mapili,Lando Eleazar; Alias Tito, Juan Gatchalian, Rustom Torejas, Pedro Cabana, Rey Hugo,32; JC Anbenisa and Benjamin Bagorio, all residents of Bolinao.

Calicdan identified the missing fishermen, who were on board MBMagdalena as Victor Caasi, 45, Ces Cardeo, and Daniel Cavite.