Fisherman drowns, 4 others missing after boat sinks off Marinduque town

CITY OF CALAPAN — A fisherman drowned on Wednesday in Buenavista town in Marinduque province after the boat he and his companions were riding home sank, according to an initial report from Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) police.

Police identified the fisherman who died as Jovert Garay, 21.

His other companions Bobby, Bernie, and Hermis, all surnamed Villavicencio, and Mario Mendito are still missing.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Imelda Tolentino, Mimaropa police information officer, said the Villavicencios are siblings and the others are their relatives.

“They were onboard FB Green Horse which set sail to go on fishing somewhere in Palawan on Aug. 28 and upon unloading their catch at Lucena City, [Quezon] they tried to head home” to Barangay (village) Tungib-Lipat on Wednesday, the report said.

Their “fishing boat sank near the Elephant island due to strong winds and heavy waves,” said the report.

The report said their were survivors from the fishing boat but did not provide details on them.

JPV