Fisherman missing, another injured as two boats collide

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A fisherman was missing while another one was hurt when a tugboat collided with a fishing boat in the waters off EB Magalona town in Negros Occidental, early Friday.

Lieutenant Commander Glenn Daraug, head of the Philippine Coast Guard-Bacolod, identified the missing fisherman as Fernan Tolentino, of Banate, Iloilo.

The injured fisherman, Christopher Baldemos, was brought to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in this city, he said adding that search and rescue operations were still goin on, as of press time yesterday.

Daraug said the Seamine 1 tugboat sank after it collided with fishing boat Prince Armiel at around 3 a.m. Six of fishermen aboard were rescued while the seventh one went missing.

The fishermen jumped into the waters when they saw that the tugboat was about to hit them, said Daraug.

Nilo Amimi, captain of the fishing boat, said they sent a signal light to the tugboat, but the latter didn't change course. He said it was too late for his boat to avoid the collision prompting them to jump into the sea.

The fishing boat was reportedly owned by Ariel Baylon, of Banate, Iloilo.

Tugboat captain Johnny Garcier, of Dumangas, Iloilo, said he miscalculated the situation because he only saw one light from the fishing boat. He added that he saw the red light but he already hit the tugboat when he tried to change course.  (FREEMAN)