1 of 2 missing Leyte fishermen found alive in Samar

TACLOBAN City, Philippines—One of the two fishermen reported missing in Leyte was found alive Tuesday morning on the shores of an Eastern Samar town, officials said Wednesday.

Angelo Polistico, assistant operations chief of the Office of Civil Defense in Eastern Visayas, said Ronnie Canales was found on the seashore in Lawaan, Eastern Samar, at around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. He had a small wound.

However, Canales’ companion, Lito Ferreras, remained missing.

Both fishermen, residents of Barangay (village) Doña Brigida in Tolosa, Leyte, went to sea early Monday. Heavy rains and strong winds whipped up by Typhoon Pedring battered their motorized boat Monday night, Polistico said, citing information relayed by Canales.

Canales was taken home Tuesday afternoon suffering only a slight wound.

Lawaan Mayor Candida Gabornes reported the presence of Canales to the OCD on Tuesday, Polistico said.

Polistico added that a search operation has been mounted by the Philippine Coast Guard and local rescue teams from Guiuan and Borongan City, both in Eastern Samar, for the still missing Ferreras.

“We are also asking support from the people living along the coast to help us find the missing fisherman and report to us or to their local officials in case they have found a stranger,” Polistico said.