Coast Guard cautions fishers after tornado leads to boat sinking, death of woman

PAGADIAN CITY –– The Philippine Coast Guard in Zamboanga del Sur has advised fishers to be “more cautious and feel the situation” before setting sail at sea.

Lieutenant Commander Paul Ryan Gonzales, Zamboanga del Sur Coast Guard Station Chief, clarified that there was no gale warning covering the Yllana Bay area but the seas are rough.

“Kahit walang bagyo sa area of responsibility, antayin na lang na humina ang alon (Even if there is no storm in the area of responsibility, let us just wait for the waves to calm down),” he said.

On Monday, 10 houses were destroyed when battered by strong waves in Baangay Dumagoc here.

On Sunday, one died when a tornado-stricken fishing boat capsized in San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur.

Couple Liza and Nemisio Rivera were traveling home to Barangay Tandubuay amid heavy rain and strong winds from Pagadian City, where they picked up fishing supplies, when a tornado struck and overturned the boat, said Police Staff Sergeant Geovani Castillo, case investigator.

The couple was thrown to the sea and was rescued by a fellow fisherman, Jewel Sumbi.

Liza was rushed to a Pagadian hospital but died on the way.

Nemisio was unscathed. /lzb