ILOILO CITY — A total of eleven fishermen were rescued in two separate incidents off the coast of Carles, a town in northern Iloilo province.
Commander Edison Diaz, chief of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-Iloilo), said all of the 11 fishermen are safe after the two incidents occurred along the Visayan Sea last Monday and Tuesday respectively.
Diaz told Manila Bulletin in a phone interview that the October 11 incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. near the vicinity of Isla Naburot. Wooden-hulled fishing boat Nielje was rammed by a commercial vessel at its port side. Boat captain Roel Andres and three other fishermen jumped into the water as the boat submerged halfway. The four were eventually rescued by the commercial boat.
The October 12 incident involved PCG personnel at the Carles substation were able to rescue seven fishermen Tuesday, October 12.
This was after the boat captain of motor banca Ariannee was able to contact PCG personnel and informed the PCG that they encountered engine trouble off the vicinity of Sicogon Island. The PCG responded and all seven fishermen onboard were rescued. The PCG took them back to San Fernando village of Sicogon Island.