A 68-year-old fisherman drowned while fishing off the waters of Barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City morning on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Police identified the victim as Juanito Naason, a resident of the same barangay. A barangay watchman, who was about to fish, discovered Naason’s body floating in the sea around 7 a.m. and immediately alerted authorities.

Police investigators and a medico-legal officer confirmed that Naason died of asphyxia due to drowning.

“Nagkaroon po ng inspeksyon doon sa body and nakita nga po ng ating doctor na itong bangkay ay namatay due to asphyxia due to drowning,” PLtCol. Lawrence Keith Calub, officer-in-charge of Dagupan City Police Station, said.

Family members said Naason left their home around 1 a.m. to fish, a routine he had done for years.

“Umiiyak ako hanggang doon sa dagat. Parang kinarga na ako hanggang dito, talagang hinang-hina na ako. Ta nakita ko na yung ading ko, yung itsura niya, talagang awang-awa ako. Ading ko, sabi ko,” Magdalena Naason-Maramaba, the victim's sister, said.

Aside from fishing, Naason also drove his tricycle to earn a living during the day.

Authorities reminded fishermen to check their health and the weather before going out to sea.

“Siguraduhin natin na physically fit tayo na mangisda. And second, yung weather. Pag hindi maganda yung weather, wag na po natin isapalaran yung buhay natin,” Calub said.

Lifeguards also urged beachgoers to follow safety reminders.

“Actually, lagi naming pinapaalala sa ating mga beachgoer, lalong-lalo na sa ating mga residente na taga-Dagupan, taga-Bonuan, na bawal pong maligo pag gabi kasi wala na pong nagbabantay na lifeguard. Eh hanggang 5 o’clock lang yung ating pagbabantay,” Ella Oribello, chief lifeguard of Tondaligan Beach Park, said.