4 fishers dead, 1 missing as boat capsizes off Bataan; 45 rescued

BAGAC, Bataan – Four fishermen died and one is still missing after their fishing boat capsized in the waters of this town due to strong waves on Friday, June 24, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a belated report Sunday.

CG PO1 Edward John Lazaro, commander of the Coast Guard’s Morong substation, identified the fatalities as Alexander Mesina, 52; Tirso De Guia, 45; Edgar Balboa, 50; and Gregorio Limboc, 43; all from Nasugbu town in Batangas province.

The fatalities were crew members of Fishing Boat Twin Sister which was piloted by Gregorio Abong, 52.

Report said the boat was some 18 nautical miles from Bagac when it met strong waves and overturned off the shores of Barangay (village) Saysain.

The PCG did not specify the time the incident happened.

Responding Coast Guard personnel from Morong substation were able to rescue 45 crew members, including Abong. Jemar Dacillo, 26, also of Nasugbu, Batangas, has yet to be found.

A search and rescue team is still looking for the missing fisherman.

/MUF