Cebuano fisherman rescued in Samar, 5 others yet missing

One of six fishermen reported missing in the seas off Cebu and Negros Oriental since Thursday was already rescued Friday in Western Samar, according to the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council-7 yesterday.

The RDCC-7 said that residents of barangay Malbago in Western Samar rescued 38-year-old Mamerto Juliano who was carried ashore by strong waves in the area.

The rescue was confirmed when councilor Ernie Gabito of Madridejos, Cebu-where Juliano resides-was able to talk via telephone with Juliano who is still in Western Samar, as of yesterday.

Juliano told Gabito that he and 16-year-old Jayson Maro, also from Madridejos, went fishing Wednesday when big waves toppled their banca.

Juliano said a passing tugboat was able to rescue Maro while he was carried further away to Samar. There were no reports, however, reaching RDCC yesterday about the whereabouts of Maro.

RDCC-7 executive director Angel Gaviola directed his men to verify the report and coordinate with Boljoon officials on any progress of the rescue efforts.

Still on the RDCC list of missing fishermen were Ronnie Mercandal, 26, and Cesar "Kid" Jimenez, 38-both from barangay Granada, Boljoon town-who were reported missing after they went fishing Thursday evening.

Granada councilman Pablo Trapero said the two fishermen have not gone back until yesterday. Their neighbors, mostly fishermen, tried to scour the seas of neighboring town and even in Bohol province but they failed to find the two.

RDCC-7 officials further reported that two other fishermen, Jay Totika and Dommy Magarinao of Basay, Negros Oriental, have remained missing as of yesterday afternoon.

Eight of their companions were rescued after their fishing boat capsized offshore of Basay last Thursday, also due to big waves.

They rescued fishermen were Oliver Yap, Jumar Suvelon, Edgardo Sanchez, Dandan Gumba, Rommel Nosal, Jumasky Alcantara, Joel Lapasaran, and Johnny Anlao, all residents of Basay.

The Office of Civil Defense yesterday said that southwest monsoon winds battered the Visayas seas resulting in the Thursday accidents of the fishermen, with five still missing to this day. - Jose P. Sollano, with reports from Flor Z. Perolina