PANGASINAN – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Sub Station in Infanta, Pangasinan reported Monday that 15 fishermen were rescued by a foreign vessel in waters off Agno, Pangasinan on Sunday, October 11.
Fishermen were identified as Robert Palbriga , Eddie Arino, Tuleto Samante, Napoleon Jose , Roseno Disposado, Ruel Barmatsa, Ferdinand Salvador, Walberto Mendoza, Vincent Cortez, Richard Roxas, Florinand Ibanez, Ernesto Rivero, Joseph Callanta, Lary Evanglista and Fernando Rodolfo.
Almost all had 36 body temperatures. Palabriga and Samante are both native of Masbate and the rest are all from Infanta, Pangasinan
According to the PCG, F/B Aqua Princess "Pulang Araw " started to be battered by big waves and capsized at midnight of October 7 about 87 nautical miles west of Agno with a captain and 16 crew on board.
Authorities said the fishing vessel left Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan on October 2 for a fishing venture.
When it capsized, boat captain Eddy Ariño ordered two crew members, Pedro Manalo Jr. and Jerby Regala, to use the service boat and proceed to the nearest PCG station for help.
The two fishermen reached Barangay Cato on Sunday and reported the incident to PCG Sub-Station Infanta.
PCG-Infanta immediately deployed a unit to conduct a search and rescue operation.
An advisory was also relayed to vessels in the vicinity to be on the lookout for survivors of the ill-fated vessel, and render assistance to the fishermen.
At around 12 noon, Sunday, the PCG reported that M/V Kumano Maru, a foreign bulk carrier, rescued all 15 fishermen around 75 nautical miles west of Agno.
Coast Guard Station Pangasinan will fetch the rescued fishermen from the PCG vessel at Cunanan Wharf and bring them back to Barangay Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan.