Cadiz fishing boat sinks, 25 rescued, 9 missing

BACOLOD CITY—At least 25 persons were rescued while nine others were missing after a fishing boat sank in the waters between Carles town in Iloilo province and Sicogon Island on Friday.

Lt. Commander Ludovico Librilla, Philippine Coast Guard District Western Visayas deputy commander, said one of those missing was the boat’s captain who was hailed from Toboso town in Negros Occidental.

Also missing were five residents of Cadiz City, another from Salvador Benedicto, all in Negros Occidental; the sonar operator from Bantayan town in Cebu, and the chief engineer from Estancia town, Iloilo.

Librilla said that based on the survivor’s account, FB St. Peter The Fisherman II, owned by Tristar Shipping Corp., tilted on its port side and sunk after being battered by strong wind and big waves about 1 a.m. on Friday.

He said the boat was fishing in the area when the incident happened.

Twenty-two passengers were rescued by FB Old Man and the Sea (Fish Carrier), sister-company of sunken vessels, while three others were on board their skip boat.

They arrived at the Cadiz City Commercial Port in Barangay Bangkerohan, Cadiz City Negros Occidental past 5 p.m.

Librilla said the survivors were in good physical condition after physicians examined them.