8 Pangasinan fishermen missing in West Philippine Sea

DAGUPAN CITY — Eight fishermen from Infanta town in Pangasinan province have been reported missing in the West Philippine Sea since last week, a village official said on Thursday (Dec. 8).

Charlito Maniago, barangay captain of the fishing village of Cato, said the fishermen sailed to the West Philippine Sea aboard the fishing boat John Paul last Nov. 28 to fish in a payao (artificial reef) about 100 nautical miles away from the village.

They have not returned to Cato from what was supposed to have been a weeklong fishing trip.

Reported missing were the skipper, Pedro Amor, and his crew members Christopher Monje, Alfredo Bautista, Jomar Gamboa, Jun-Jun Amor, Leonardo Nical and two others whose identities were not known to the village leader.

Maniago said the fishermen were last seen fishing in a payao west of Bolinao town by a group of fishermen who were on their way home on Dec. 2.

Maniago said the north wind was strong, whipping huge waves in the sea on that day.

“We hope they are still there at the payao,” Maniago said.

He said the Philippine Coast Guard had been alerted about the missing fishermen and their boat. CDG/rga

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