2 fishers from Negros Occidental town reported missing

CEBU CITY––Two fishermen from Binalbagan town in Negros Occidental were reported missing by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) today, Dec. 16.

The PCG said it conducted search-and-rescue operations for Joevel Tipon, 29, and Noel D. Dela Cruz, 19, the PCG said.

The fisherman went out to sea but failed to return home, the PCG said.

The two fishermen were last seen at 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 in the waters off Pontevedra town in Negros Occidental and Guiwanin town in Guimaras.

Meanwhile, 309 residents were evacuated in the cities of Sagay and Silay and the towns of Escalante, Cauayan, and Hinigaran in anticipation of typhoon “Odette,” said Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division head.

Work was canceled in the Negros Occidental and Bacolod City governments and other local government units.

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