By Liezle Basa Inigo
DAGUPAN CITY – The Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) rescued, Tuesday, a fisherman, who was reported missing and had gone adrift in the waters off Agno, Pangasinan four days before.
The fisherman was identified as Oscar Battala Sr, 30, and a resident of Barangay Macaboboni, Agno, Pangasinan.
NFNL said it received a call last February 14 that a fisherman had gone missing off the coast of Agno, Pangasinan,
A Maritime Cafgu Active Auxiliary (MCAA) team, led by Jayfred B. Lubay, was promptly dispatched to consult with Battala’s family and start a search and rescue operation.
Lubay said Battala departed 11 p.m. February 13, and was expected to return home the next morning. He did not.
His last sighting was reported 30 nautical miles west of Balingasay, Bolinao, Pangasinan and was said to have been trying to control his wooden boat in encountering huge waves and strong winds until his banca capsized.
NFNL Commander Commodore Caesar Bernard N. Valencia then directed Naval Task Force 11 under Captain Edward Ike M De Sagon to look for Battala in the area where he was last sighted.
It was there that the fisherman was recovered by Sagon’s team, together with the MCAA squad.
Valencia reminded fisher folks anew to keep in mind their safety whenever they are about to sail.
He noted that Battala was the fourth fisherman to have gone missing this year.