Subic fisherman missing in Mindoro since June 16

Violeta Ediza, mother of missing 29-year-old fisherman Joeffrey Ediza from Subic, Zambales, holds an enlarged copy of her son’s identification card. She appealed to maritime and Navy authorities to send search and rescue teams to Occidental Mindoro, hoping that he could still be found alive. (Photo by Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon)

SUBIC, Zambales — A fisherman from this coastal town has been reported missing off Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro after his service boat was blown by strong winds two weeks ago.

The family of Joeffrey Ediza, 29, appealed to maritime and Navy authorities, on Monday (June 27) to send search and rescue teams to the area, hoping he could still be alive.

Ediza has been missing since June 16 after he was separated from his fellow fishermen, said Rolly Rebota, boat captain of fishing boat NN8 to which Ediza belonged.

Rebota said they were fishing about 80 miles away from Lubang Island when Ediza lost contact with his fellow fishermen.

Ediza was on board a small service boat when he encountered huge waves spawned by strong winds at about 4 a.m. on June 16, Rebota said.

Rebota said Ediza failed to return to their mother boat, prompting his crew to search for him the entire day.

“We looked for him the whole time but he just disappeared. We returned home the following day because we were running out of fuel,” Rebota said.

Ediza’s mother, Violeta, asked the Philippine Coast Guard detachment here to coordinate with other concerned government agencies to find her son.

“I’m hoping that my son is still alive and will be found by other fishermen,” she said.  SFM/rga