LEGAZPI CITY – The nine fishermen, mostly from Mercedes town in Camarines Norte, who were reported missing since July 11 were found alive and rescued on Sunday afternoon, July 16. In an interview on Monday, July 17, Gremil Alexis Naz, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol spokesperson, said the fishers were found safe in the vicinity of Barangay Butawanan, Siruma town in Camarines Sur province. "The well-being of the nine fishermen was confirmed by Mercedes Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), Philippine Coast Guard Camarines Norte, and Camarines Norte PDRRMO. They were brought today to Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital for medical checkups," Naz said. He said after the fishermen's boat experienced mechanical trouble, they swam until they reached an island where they found refuge. "The officials of Siruma town reported that there are fishermen who took shelter on Sunday. Camarines Norte Provincial DRRMO and PCG Camarines Norte and Mercedes MDRRMO personnel got the fishermen from Siruma back to Mercedes," he said. In an earlier report, the missing fishermen were identified as Nazario Pardenas, Jay-ar Mocorro, Eric Torres, Armando Fajardo, Ricardo Murao, Rogelio Abines Jr., all residents of Barangay San Roque, Mercedes town; and Anthony Quirante, Edmund Parago, and Jhun Calisay of Quezon province. (PNA)