By Betheena Kae Unite
A search and rescue operation continues Friday in the hopes of finding a man who went missing days before the New Year in the waters off Cangmating Sibulan, Negros Oriental, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
(PCG / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
Nelson Jarnais, according to Coast Guard Sub-Station Amlan in Negros Oriental, went missing on Dec. 29, 2019. His wife Chona told authorities he was last seen driving his motorcycle towards the shoreline in Cangmating Sibulan while he was under the influence of alcohol.
A Coast Guard team sought the assistance of the Special Operation Unit of Negros Oriental and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) of Sibulan, Negros Oriental to carry out a surface search operation, but failed to locate Jarnais.
The joint rescue team temporarily terminated the operation due to bad weather conditions prevailing in the vicinity waters.
Local fishermen were then told to be on the lookout for Jarnais and immediately report to the nearest Coast Guard unit if they found any lead to his location.
Meanwhile, 15 passengers and the boat captain were rescued Thursday from a distressed motorbanca off Zapatos, Gamay Island in Roxas City, Capiz.
According to Coast Guard Sub-Station Banica, motorbanca “Kimdim-5” departed Mandaon, Masbate going to Banica Wharf in Roxas City, Capiz when its steering malfunctioned.
A response team was immediately sent to rescue the passengers and captain who were later brought to Banica Wharf. No one was reported injured.