LEGAZPI CITY — The missing fisherman from Catanduanes was found dead in the waters off Matnog, Sorsogon on Monday.
Mark Joseph Matira, head of operations of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Virac, said in a phone interview Tuesday that residents found the body of Noel Zafe, 58, off the coast of Barangay Paghuliran at around 12 noon.
Zafe, a resident of Barangay Palnab del Norte in Virac, was among the five fishermen who failed to return home on Christmas Eve.
Arnel Araojo, 43, was also found dead along off Barangay Calanaga in Rapu-Rapu town in Albay on Monday.
Matira said the search would continue to find the three missing fishermen identified as Dante David, 41; Domingo Borilla Jr., 33; and Jason Mandasoc, 31.
In Viga town, Ringo Tupig, 37; Willy Uchi, 35; Jobert Teaño, 33; and Juanito Estrella Jr., 51, were also still missing.
They went fishing on Dec. 21 using a motorized banca and were expected to return home on Dec. 23.
Gremil Alexis Naz, Office of Civil Defense – Bicol spokesperson, said the search, rescue and retrieval teams suspended operations “due to strong waters in the coastline.”