Phone saves fishers from a watery grave

Taking a cellphone to fishing proved the best idea of the day.

A fishing boat with 11 fishermen on board capsized in the seawaters between Molokabok, Negros Occidental and San Remegio town last Thursday afternoon due to bad weather. But all fishermen were eventually rescued by two other fishing boats after one of the fishermen was able to call his son via cellphone.

Earlier Thursday, the fishing boat KB, owned by Tirso Bacalaños of sitio San Roque, barangay Kawit, Medellin town, left Kinatarkan Islet, in Sta. Fe town, and headed for the open sea where it later floundered and capsized due to big waves and heavy winds.

Tirso was able to call his son Samuel, who was safe at shore during the time, to send for help as they were floundering.

After the craft capsized, the survivors were divided into two groups, Tirso and three other fishermen were in one group and seven other fishermen were in another.

Tirso's group was eventually rescued by another fishing boat that tailed them while the other group was rescued by the fishing boat Queen Joy owned by Dado Rosal of Punta, San Remegio town.

The Queen Joy eventually dragged the capsized boat to a private wharf in barangay Hagnaya, San Remegio town at around 12:45 p.m. yesterday.

PO2 Joe Johnesky Ynot of the San Remegio Police said the seven fishermen were identified as Tata Villarin, Benjamin Osabel, Cesar Rosales, Bryan Edades, Tirso's son's Levie and Tito, and Joel Amag, all residents of Medellin town.

The other three men rescued with Tirso were not named. - Norvie S. Misa