Body of one of missing Bantayan fishers found

CEBU, Philippines - One of the six fishermen that went missing after their boat collided with a cargo vessel a week ago was found dead floating near the Tanguingui Islet off Bantayan Island afternoon last Friday.

Police said residents of barangay Hagnaya in neighboring San Remigio town identified the body as that of Romeo Abellanosa, also a resident of the barangay.

His body was found floating in the seas near barangay Kabac, Bantayan with only a maroon sweatshirt and a blue underwear.

Abellanosa and 18 other fishermen were on board the fishing boat Linda-J Steel II and were traveling off Bantayan Island last February 8 when they were bumped by cargo vessel MV Chrysler of Matsya Shipping Lines, which was heading towards Bataan.

The fishing boat’s starboard was greatly damaged, which caused it to sink.

Crew members of MV Chrysler were able to rescue 13 of the fishermen but six went missing, including Abellanosa.

The Coast Guard is continuing its search and rescue operations to find the five fishermen that are still missing.

The owner of the fishing boat, former San Remegio vice Mayor Pabling Olivar, incumbent Barangay captain of Hagnaya, earlier said he will give financial assistance to the families of the fishermen that perished in the tragedy.

Meanwhile, an unidentified man was found dead in barangay Dapdap, Compostela town dawn last Friday.

The victim, wearing a red shirt and black shorts and estimated to be about 5’1 in height, was found with a hack wounds on his neck.

PO2 Balverde Necavero said no one in the barangay was able to identify the victim. He said they are now conducting a follow-up operation to identify the victim, the perpetrator, and the motive of the killing. — Bentley Naire Luyong, CIT MassCom Intern/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)