PCG: Romblon fisherman alive, well after 22 hours lost at sea

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that a missing fisherman who was lost in Romblon waters for over 22 hours was safe and able to return home.

In a report released on Wednesday, 51-year-old fisherman Richard Maestro was reported missing after venturing out to fish onboard his motobanca near Barangay Cobrador Island in Romblon on Tuesday at 4 a.m.

Upon failing to return by 10 a.m., a search for Maestro was launched at 6 p.m. but this was stopped at 8:35 p.m. due to inclement weather.

Maestro returned home the next morning, stating that he fell out of his vessel while fishing because of the strong winds and waves.

While his motorbanca sailed off without an operator and left him stranded at sea, he used a floating expanded piece of polystyrene foam to remain afloat and swam for almost 22 hours back to Barangay Cobrador Island.

He reached the shoreline of the island by 3:30 a.m. and was assisted by the residents of the island. He was eventually declared in good physical condition at 7 a.m.

Meanwhile, two missing fishermen whose motorbanca was reportedly left awash between the waters off Quezon's San Francisco town and Sibuyan Island on Friday were rescued by a passing foreign cargo vessel.

Responding to a report of a submerged vessel, CGSS Romblon was able to assist 69-year-old Rolando Riano and 37-year-old Meynard Riano, who were rescued by the passing Hong Kong-based cargo vessel M/V SITC CAGAYAN.

According to an investigation, the fishermen encountered heavy seas and strong winds that submerged their motorbanca.

The fishermen and their motorbanca were returned to Barangay Bagacay, Romblon, where both men were declared in good physical condition by the Municipal Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office. — DVM, GMA Integrated News