115 fishermen rescued from sea after Kabayan onslaught; 33 still missing

A total of 115 fishermen have been rescued but 33 others remain missing after their boats capsized in the Ilocos Region due to the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kabayan in northern Luzon last week, a television report said Tuesday.

 

After the storm left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, a total of 115 fishermen from Pangasinan and Zambales have been returned to safety.

 

Among the survivors, 101 were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard, volunteer fishermen, and foreign ships on sea, while 14 were able to swim back to the shore.

 

Last Sunday, 28 fishermen from Bulinao, Pangasinan were rescued in Ilocos Sur by foreign commercial vessels, while 19 fishermen from Pangasinan and 13 from Aurora have been rescued on Saturday.

Five fishing vessels from Infanta have also been brought back to safety.

 

A report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali quoted the victims as saying that strong waves overturned their boats and brought them to as far as the waters of Ilocos Sur from Pangasinan, Zambales, and other farther regions.

They then spent two to four days floating on sea before beeing rescued, surviving on dead fish around them.

 

As of this posting, the PCG counts 33 fishermen from Pangasinan still missing, but the total number of victims is yet to be confirmed with a masterlist as the information are based only on accounts by relatives who are reporting missing loved ones.

 

According to an earlier report, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 1 said 121 fishermen and 23 fishing vessels remained missing as of 9 p.m. Saturday. — Bianca Rose Dabu/RSJ, GMA News