Fisher in Cordova found dead; fisher in Malabuyoc missing

CEBU, Philippines - A 39-year-old fisherman was found dead while being towed by his motorized boat Friday morning in the seawaters in Cordova town.

Aljon Pugoy, a resident of barangay Catarman, Cordova town was already dead when brought to the shore by a certain Teofilo Pacaldo, a fisherman who found Pugoy at the Hilutungan Channel being pulled by his motorized boat past 5:00 a.m. that day.

The police found no signs that would indicate foul play was involved but nevertheless suggested that the body undergo autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Pacaldo said the big waves that day did not deter fishermen from going out to sea.

He said fishermen usually tie themselves to their boats when the weather is bad.

Pacaldo said he found Pugoy’s boat moving but did not see anyone on the boat. He said he saw Pugoy underwater.

He said he chased the motorized boat.

In another development, a fisherman is now feared dead after he allegedly fell into the sea when waves battered his banca in the seawaters of barangay Sto. Niño, Malabuyoc town last Friday.

Fidel Cardosa, 59, has been reported missing since 4 a.m. last Friday and his whereabouts is still unknown as of press time.

The town police said Cardosa went fishing with his twin brother, Felix, before 4 am.

Felix, in a later interview, said that around 4 a.m., they were already at least a kilometer away from the shore when strong winds accompanied by huge waves suddenly pummeled their banca.

He said his brother fell into the water.

Felix said he failed to find him.

The Bantay Dagat Patrol of Malabuyoc and other fishermen later joined in the search but to no avail.

SPO2 Mario Paler of the Malabuyoc police station said the authorities of the nearby towns of Ginatilan, Alegria, and Badian have been informed.