LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—At least seven fishermen were reported missing after they went fishing on Wednesday evening off Virac, Catanduanes, an official of the Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Thursday.
The RDRRMC, citing a text message from Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua, said the missing fishermen were identified as Antonio Avila, Nestor Magdasoc, Vicente Tapit, Prospero Tabios, Paquito Tabozo, Rolando Tabor and Denver Sta. Ines, all residents of Barangay San Vicente in Virac.
Bernardo Alejandro, Office of Civil Defense regional director and RDRRMC chairperson, said the missing fishermen were on board three motorized bancas when they went out to sea despite an advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration that Tropical Storm Falcon was expected to pass near the province by Thursday.
Alejandro said the Catanduanes PDRRMC has organized a search-and-rescue team and alerted all local disaster councils to advise it of any sightings of the missing fishermen.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police’s Public Information Office in Albay said flooding and landslide rendered the roads impassable to light vehicles in the villages of Masarawag in Guinobatan and Paclas, Isidro, Agustin in Libon.