Coast Guard locating 8 missing fishermen

VIGAN CITY  — The Philippine Coast Guard is still searching for  eight fishermen who have been missing in West Philippine Sea after sailing from Infanta, Pangasinan, last July 17.

Lt. Vladimir Gaspar, duty officer of the Operation’s Division of the PCG’s Northwestern Luzon, identified seven of the eight fishermen who went missing as Billy Rellano, Gary Alcala, Benjamin Alcala, Juanito Lebios, Filjune Palosa, Pempe Florez and Allan Rada.

All of them are residents of Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cato, Infanta.

           

Gaspar said Barangay Cato Barangay Chairman Charlito Maniago reported that the eight fishermen have not returned since July 17.

           

Gaspar clarified that the fishermen have not been officially listed as missing since fishermen are normally out at sea for seven to 15 days.

           

“However, we dispatched immediately our rescue team aboard the boat "Habagat" upon learning the information to monitor the location of these fishermen for possible rescue operation if necessary,” he said.

           

Gaspar said that intensified rescue operations are continuing for two missing fishermen from Bolinao, Pangasinan.

           

Gaspar identified the missing fishermen as Rogelio Canayon, 35; and Levi Caballero, 23; both residents of Barangay Victory, Bolinao.

           

The two were with four other fishermen: Paron Caampued Sr., 40, and his son Paron Caampued Jr.; Teodorico Caampued, 60, and his nephew Robinson Cezo, 50, who were in three motorized boats and who headed out to sea on July 20 despite gale warnings raised by the weather agency and Coast Guard beacuse Tropical Storm “Ferdie.

           

ParonCaampued Sr. and his son were rescued by a passing oil tanker last week while TeodricoCaampued and Cezo were rescued by lawmen at the shoreline of Barangay Pantoc, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.