2 fishermen missing in Eastern Samar amid rough seas

TACLOBAN CITY — Two fishermen from Llorente town in Eastern Samar remain missing after heading out to sea amid rough waters caused by a shear line, while another from Borongan City survived after battling strong winds and high waves, authorities said.

The missing fishermen were identified as Ian Allester, 26, of Barangay Soong, and Anthony, 50, of Barangay Tungkip. Both failed to return after going out on Friday aboard a fishing banca named Mama Mary. Search and monitoring operations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Demosthenes Pimentel, 53, of Sabang North, Borongan City, safely returned on Sunday after being caught in rough seas on Saturday. Pimentel said he tied himself to his fishing boat to stay aboard and navigated back to shore.

READ: Gale warning halts sea travel along Eastern Samar’s eastern coast

Authorities continued to warn local fishermen to stay ashore as heavy rains and strong winds persisted across the region due to the shearline.

The shear line has also triggered flooding and landslides across Eastern Samar.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that 8,118 families, or 26,252 individuals, have been affected in Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Can-avid, Llorente, Balangiga, and Borongan City. Landslides were reported in Taft and Borongan City, though most affected areas are now passable.

Flooding was reported in 39 barangays across Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Taft, Salcedo, Maydolong, and Borongan City. The PDRRMO said that it had not recorded any so far.

As a precaution, Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone has suspended classes on Monday in all public and private schools in the province due to the prevailing bad weather./coa