Rescue efforts dim for missing fishermen

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Joint elements of the Philippine Coast Guard and local authorities carried out a search and rescue mission for the four of seven remaining fishermen who reportedly went missing since last week in what was prescribed as sea tragedy in Patnanunyan, Quezon province.

Senior Superintendent Elmo Francis Sarona, Quezon provincial director, said a group of scuba divers from air and sea borne rescue teams exerted their effort to locate the four missing fishermen identified as Roman Habagat, Emboy Curva, Bobby and Danilo Guevarra. Sarona said three of the seven – Jun Jun Albeus, Onyo Reyes and Roland Sandra survived during the sea accident on June 15.

He said the Philippine Air Force also sent their men and several local fishermen from various barangays near Patnanunyan and Jomalig to help in the rescue operation.

According to Sarona’s report, the fishermen from Barangay Busdac on board M/B jelly 1 owned by a certain Edwin Guevarra encountered a whirl of big waves and strong winds until it capsized in the middle of the sea of Jomalig and Patnanunyan in Quezon province. – Ed Amoroso, Michelle Zoleta