2 rescued fishermen return to E. Samar

TACLOBAN CITY — Two fishermen from an Eastern Samar town who were missing for 12 days have returned home following their rescue on Friday by fishermen from Siargao, Surigao del Norte.

Rey Gozon, acting regional director of the Office of the Civil Defense for Eastern Visayas, said the two, Nathaniel Roncales, 39, and Michael Diolalo, 30, both from barangay Hilabaan, Dolores town, left their homes to go fishing on Aug. 1.

However, their motorized banca ran out of gasoline so they remained adrift at sea and survived by eating fish, which they cooked using their paraffin lamp, and drinking water during their ordeal, Gozon said Tuesday.

The banca of Roncales and Diolalo drifted towards the waters off Siargao and on Aug. 12, they were rescued by fisherman Harry Palahan of barangay San Luna, Siargao.

The two fishermen returned to their village yesterday after they were checked at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban.

“While the two lost some weight, they were in good physical condition,” Gozon said.

Meanwhile, Gozon said they were still searching for two other missing fishermen, Antonio Accion, 48, and Fred Baldidolar, 36, both from Sulat town, Eastern Samar.

The two went fishing last July 25 during Tropical Storm “Juaning.”

Gozon appealed to residents living along coastal municipalities to coordinate with their respective local government units or the OCD in case they find the two missing fishermen in their areas.  /INQUIRER