PCG pursues search operation for missing fishermen off Iloilo
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday said it will continue with its search and rescue operations on nine fishermen who went missing after their fishing vessel sank off between Tanguingui Island in northern Cebu and Gigantes Island in Iloilo on Friday.
Based on the report of the PCG, FV St. Peter the Fisherman II carrying 34 fishermen sank due to strong winds and big waves in the said waters.
At least 25 persons were rescued, but nine others remained missing, initial reports said.
The PCG in Western Visayas immediately deployed BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502) and PCG-manned Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel, MCS-3010 to conduct search and rescue operations.
INCIDENT REPORT: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has responded to a maritime incident involving a fishing vessel, FV ST. PETER THE FISHERMAN II (GT: 148.37) with 31 fishermen on board that reportedly sank between the vicinity waters off Tanguingui Island in Northern Cebu and Gigantes Island in Iloilo today, 24 September 2021. FV ST. PETER THE FISHERMAN II skippered by Captain Frankie Chavez and owned by Tristar Fishing Corporation sank due to strong winds and big waves prevailing at the said vicinity waters. The PCG in Western Visayas immediately deployed BRP Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502) and PCG-manned BFAR vessel, MCS-3010 to conduct search and rescue operations. At around 04:15 p.m., the sister vessel of the sunken vessel, FV OLD MAN AND THE SEA, successfully rescued 22 of the 31 distressed fishermen. They arrived at Cadiz City Commercial Port in Barangay Bangkerohan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental for further assistance. One of the 22 survivors, Second Mate Pablito Desamparado shared that while conducting fishing operations at around 01:00 a.m., they encountered strong winds and big waves that caused for their fishing boat to list to the port side (left) until it eventually sank. Moreover, nine crew members of FV ST. PETER THE FISHERMAN II remain missing: 1) Boast Captain Frankie Chavez (Toboso, Negros Occidental)2) Sonar Operator Norberto Parlotzo (Bantayan Island, Cebu)3) Steersman Renante Forsuelo (Cadiz City, Negros Occidental)4) Steersman Victor Calvo (Cadiz City, Negros Occidental) 5) Chief Engineer Herminio Ronamo (Estancia, Iloilo)6) Third Engineer Manuel Auditor (Cadiz City, Negros Occidental)7) Piscador Rommel Engle (Cadiz City, Negros Occidental)8 ) Piscador Julit Salvo (Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental) 9) Cook Julian Dungog (Cadiz City, Negros Occidental)Medical personnel of Cadiz City Health Office conducted physical examinations and provided medical treatments to the survivors. After confirming that they were all in good physical condition, the city government arranged their transportation to their respective residences. [Progress report to follow]#DOTrPH🇵🇭#CoastGuardPH#MaritimeSectorWorks
Posted by Philippine Coast Guard on Friday, September 24, 2021
PGC said that at around 4:15 p.m., a sister vessel of the sunken vessel, FV Old Man and the Sea, successfully rescued 25 of the 34 distressed fishermen. They arrived at Cadiz City Commercial Port in Barangay Bangkerohan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental for further assistance.
The city government of Cadiz has arranged their transportation to their respective residences.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the remaining fishermen.
In a text message to INQUIRER.net, PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said the PCG has deployed its airbus helicopter CGH-1451 to conduct an aerial search and rescue operation for the nine missing crew members.
Balilo said the aerial asset has departed the Department of Transportation’s hangar in Pasay City at around 8:25 a.m.
RELATED STORIES:
25 passengers, 6 crew rescued in sinking boat off Quezon island
11 survive as boat capsizes in Sorsogon town
