LEGAZPI CITY – At least 11 fishermen on board three fishing boats were reported missing on Thursday off the waters of Mercedes town in Camarines Norte province, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol region revealed on Friday.
A report from the OCD, citing the Mercedes Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said two groups left Mercedes on Wednesday while the other sailed on Monday.
A search and rescue operation had been scheduled this Friday as the weather improved a day after tropical storm “Salome” traversed over Bicol.
The OCD identified the missing fishermen as Joel Ongog, Raymond Abalao, Jonathan Arcilla, Joseph Ferrer, Joey Todenio, Leonardo Ballon, George Lamaddrid, Virgilio Borja, Roedlio Manzana, Erly de Castro and Rodolfo Manzaba Jr., all residents of Barangay (village) 4 in Mercedes. /kga