1 die, 3 go missing at sea in Zambales, Northern Samar

SAFE NOW Lindo Sumalilog, 54, is being cared for by Philippine Coast Guard personnel aboard BRP Suluan after his rescue on Monday, before he is returned to his family on the same day. But his two companions remained missing. —PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD PHOTO

Families of two fishers and crew members of a cargo ship greeted the New Year with anxiety as they continued to search for their relatives who went missing following separate sea tragedies in the waters off Northern Samar and Zambales provinces that left one dead.

In Zambales, a fisherman from Subic town was rescued after seven grueling days at sea but his two companions remained missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday.

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Commander Euphraim Jayson Diciano, head of the PCG station in this province, reported that the survivor, Lindo Sumalilog, 54, was in the company of Gavino Alimot, 53, and Tejay dela Cruz, 36, when they set sail from Subic Bay on Dec. 20, 2024, aboard MBCA Je Young, bound for 37 kilometers (20 nautical miles) southeast off Sampaloc Point.

However, because of the strong currents, they reached Cabra Island in Occidental Mindoro and their boat suffered damage to its outrigger while returning to Subic Bay on Dec. 23, 2024, causing it to capsize approximately 56 km (30 nautical miles) from Lubang Island, Diciano said.

Based on the statement of Sumalilo, they tied themselves to the capsized boat using a rope, but Dela Cruz got detached on Dec. 24, 2024, after suffering from severe injuries when he was battered by large waves. Three days later, Alimot, the skipper, also lost hope and detached himself from the boat.

Sumalilog stayed tied to the boat and survived by eating floating garbage and drinking seawater.

Rescue operations

On Dec. 29, 2024, the PCG’s BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406), which was near Capones Island off Subic town, received a radio call from MV Sao Heaven, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, while conducting a radio broadcast about another missing fisherman, Robert Ablian.

MV Sao Heaven reported spotting a fishing boat upside down with one crew member waving for help. BRP Suluan immediately responded and rescued Sumalilog, who sustained wounds and sunburns. Their half-submerged boat was towed to Subic Bay on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ablian, a San Felipe town resident reported missing on Dec. 28, 2024, returned home safely. Ablian usually fishes 37 km (20 nautical miles) off San Felipe but ventured into Mindoro waters due to low catches.

After arriving in Mindoro, he decided to return home but ran out of fuel near San Narciso. Fortunately, another fisherman provided him with fuel, ensuring his safe return.

Cargo ship

In Northern Samar, a crew member of cargo vessel MV Jerlyn Khatness died while another remained missing when it sank in the waters off Barangay Balicuatro, Lavezares town, Northern Samar on Monday afternoon.

The body of Dondee Macasul, 30, of Tagum City, Davao del Norte was found in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Biri town, located at the northern tip of the province facing the Pacific Ocean at 8 a.m. on Dec. 31.

Rescue teams were still looking for Andres Bolanon, 63, of Tubigon town, Bohol.

Thirteen other members of the ship’s crew were rescued, the PCG station in Allen, Northern Samar, said Tuesday.

MV Jerlyn Khatness was carrying cement from Naga City, Cebu, to San Jose, Northern Samar, when it was struck by huge waves that caused it to submerge around 2:30 p.m. but the incident was only reported to the PCG Northern Samar Station around 10 p.m. on Monday, the PCG said.

A fisherman aboard a motor banca rescued three crew members near Barangay Lipata in Allen, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.

By Tuesday, 13 crew members, including the vessel’s master, Alberto Ompoc, were rescued with assistance from Santa Clara Shipping Line.

They received treatment from a local hospital before they were moved to a government shelter in Allen where they received food and clothing.

The PCG Northern Samar said it deployed its personnel and search and rescue vessel RB-052 to locate the missing crew member.