2 fishermen drown in Albay mining pit, 2 others missing

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Two fishermen drowned in an abandoned mining pit in Rapu-Rapu town in Albay province while two others were declared missing, police said.

In a report, Capt. Dante Bonafe, chief of Rapu-Rapu police, said the victims went to an abandoned mining pit in Barangay Batan to get a submersible pump when the incident happened at 5:30 p.m.

Authorities retrieved the bodies of victims identified only as “Kalbo” of Barangay Villahermosa and “Uwak” of Barangay San Roque of Tabaco City.

Chief Petty Officer Dennis Sario, sub-station commander of Philippine Coast Guard in the town, said the rescue operation is still ongoing Monday night to look for the missing fishermen identified as Orly Bisco, 40, and Timoteo Balunzo, 30, of Barangay Calanaga. (Editor: Eden Estopace)