6 missing Ilocos Sur fishermen rescued

DAGUPAN CITY— Six Ilocos Sur fishermen, who were reported missing since Tuesday (Oct. 31), were rescued in the waters off Cabugao town on Wednesday (Nov. 1) and Thursday (Nov. 2), police said.

At about 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Alejandro Escalona Jr., Rey Etrata and Bryan Cuaresma were found by Cabugao fishermen clinging onto their capsized fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea, according to PO3 Dennis Pascua, Cabugao police investigator.

On Nov. 1, a passing cargo ship “Kerrisdale” rescued Nilo Etrata, Norlex Bragado and Jun Collo, who  were waving their shirts as they were seen floating about 17.4 nautical miles (32.22 kilometers) off the coast of Barangay (village) Salomague, also in Cabugao.

Pascua said the six fishermen left the coastal village of Gabao in Santiago town in two separate boats at about 5 a.m. on October 31, to catch some fish.

“They were supposed to return that afternoon to their village but failed. Apparently, they were met by rough seas and drifted to the north,” said Pascua by telephone.

Cabugao is about 75 kilometers north of Santiago.

On October 31, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued a gale warning in the northern Luzon seaboard, advising small fishing boats not to venture into the sea.

“We have constantly reminded them not to go fishing when there is a gale warning. We have even gone to their village. But they are hard-headed,” said Pascua.

He said that the fishermen rescued on Nov. 1 have been reunited with their families.

He also said that a team from the Santiago police and the town’s disaster risk reduction and management office have left for Cabugao to bring home those who were rescued on Nov. 2. /jpv