PAF helps search missing fishermen, passengers of separate sinking of two motorboats

AKLAN, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) sent its aircraft Wednesday, August 28, to help in the ongoing search and retrieval operation of nine fishermen believed part of the two vessels which met separate accidents in the vicinity of seas surrounding Boracay, Caluya Island, Antique, and San Jose, Romblon.

The PAF helicopter was on standby in Caticlan airport waiting for the weather to clear before starting its mission.

In an interview, Philippine Coast Guard Lieutenant Junior Grade John Laurence Banzuela, station commander of PCG said that the two fishing boats separately departed before dawn Monday, August 26, from Boracay bound for Caluya, Antique.

“We later learned of the incidents when two of the victims were rescued by nearby residents of San Jose, Romblon. We are investigating reports that they do not have a PCG permit to travel. We will be filing a case soon,” he told Rappler in a phone interview.

The PCG also found out the boats took in passengers before leaving Boracay.

Initial reports said, it seemed the fishermen did not anticipate that they would encounter heavy waves in their sails due to the southwest monsoon affecting the western sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

As soon as the PCG received reports of the maritime incident, they deployed a quick search and rescue team. Eight more fishermen were rescued in separate incidents on Monday and Tuesday.

Banzuela said one of the boats carried 14 people (FBCA Ure Mea) while the other unnamed vessel carried six. The unnamed motor banca was painted in blue and white.

So far, those who already rescued were:

The boat captain Alvin Salodes, Rhea de Vera, Jarenz Bernal, Joseph Tereliyos, Frederick Lompero, Luisa Ojana.

Rescued in the FBCA Ure Mea were: 1. Arnold Tereliyas, boat captain Jonald Patricio, crew Garry Patricio, and Arnel Belleca.

All of those rescued were at the San Jose, Romblon undergoing medical treatment.

Wednesday morning, Banzuela met with the PAF personnel together with the Malay Maritime Police and the Municipal Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Office to augment the ongoing retrieval operation.

As this develop, the San Jose Municipal Police station in nearby Romblon province reported to have found a dead body at the beach of Sitio Sawang, Brgy. Agojo, Looc Romblon. The police authorities have yet to confirm if the cadaver was that of a missing fishermen.

Catherine Ong, head of the Malay MDRRMO said they have also fielded their sea-borne patrols to augment in the search and retrieval operation. – Rappler.com