The Philippine Coast Guard said yesterday that search and rescue operations for missing Filipino fishermen in Luzon are ongoing.
PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said two fishermen went missing in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, Tuesday. The fishermen, identified as Morrey Sierra, 45, and Lloyd Akeiot, 37, were on board an unnamed motor banca when they went missing.
Balilo said they will coordinate with the Chinese Coast Guard at Bajo de Masinloc to conduct search and rescue since they are always in the area. The PCG has issued notice to mariners on the two missing fishermen.
The PCG said search and rescue operations for two motorbancas and five fishermen who went missing after they went fishing in Camiguin Island, Calayan, Cagayan Sunday are also ongoing. Reports from PCG said two unnamed green motorbancas were carrying Adore Trininsio, 54; Gabby Trininsio, 25; Kenneth Agonoy, 34; Fernando Agonoy, 29; and Benny Baclig, 31, when they went missing.
Coast Guard Sub-station Claveria has alerted all units and fisherfolk near the area to be on the lookout for them.
Surface search for the two missing Filipino crew of an unnamed ship in Batanes are ongoing and notice to mariners for them have been issued. Other boats were also tapped to search the other islands near Batanes in case the missing crew members were washed ashore.
Balilo said the five other crew members of the unnamed ship have been rescued and were brought to Kaohsiung in Taiwan Tuesday.
The PCG said the ship was battered by huge waves which damaged its propeller Monday. Its crew failed to control the rushing water, causing the ship to totally capsize. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)