SEVEN fishermen were reported missing after encountering big waves off Pangasinan Monday last week, the Philippine Coast Guard reported yesterday.
PCG spokesman Capt. Armand Balilo said the PCG has dispatched an Island plane while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources deployed an offshore vessel to search and rescue the fishermen.
Balilo said the seven fishermen aboard FB Narem 2 were declared missing Tuesday last week after they failed to return to Infanta town in Pangasinan.
Balilo identified the seven as boat skipper Alberto Roldan, Roderick Montemayor, Homar Maglantay, Ejay Dela Cruz, Jerome Maglantay, Larry Legaspi and Jefferson Bernabe.
Balilo said the boat owner, Christine Macaraeg, reported that the fishermen contacted her on Monday afternoon and told her “the fishing boat encountered big waves around 13 feet in height.”
Balilo said the fishermen’s last reported location was 60 nautical miles off Camaso island in Dasol town.
He said the PCG Islander plane has been deployed to conduct aerial surveillance approximately 60 to 90 nautical miles off Camasao island.
Balilo said the BFAR sent BRP Lapu-Lapu to the area “to conduct joint maritime patrol and search for the missing fishermen.”
