The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) resumed its search on Monday for seven fishermen who have been reported missing after they went fishing in the waters near Barangay Hermosa, Dasol, in Pangasinan early this month.
A news statement issued by the PCG said the fishermen, who were onboard fishing banca FB Narem 2, ventured out to sea for a fishing activity on January 6.
They, however, failed to return in Infanta, Pangasinan, on their scheduled return date of January 14, as reported by the owner of the banca, Christine Macaraig.
FB Narem 2 was skippered by Captain Alberto Roldan. Other missing crew members included Roderick Montemayor, Homar Maglantay, Ejay de la Cruz, Jerome Maglantay, Larry Legaspi and Jefferson Bernabe.
The PCG said Macaraig was able to coordinate with FB Narem 2 through radio at around 2:30 p.m. on January 13, and was informed that the fishing boat encountered big waves of around 13 feet in height.
The banca’s last reported location was at 60 nautical miles, off Camaso Island in Dasol, Pangasinan.
“The PCG deployed BN Islander plane to conduct aerial surveillance approximately 60 to 90 nautical miles off Camaso Island, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has deployed multi-mission offshore vessel, BRP Lapu-Lapu, to conduct joint maritime patrol and search for the missing fishermen,” the PCG statement said.
The PCG’s station in Pangasinan has already advised local fishers to be on the lookout for the missing fishing boat and inform the nearest PCG unit about its location.