BACOLOD CITY – Four fishermen were rescued from rough seas generated by severe tropical storm “Kristine” in Negros Occidental last week.
Commander Jansen Benjamin, head of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-northern Negros Occidental, identified them as Robin Fajardo, 42, and Jose Carlo Jurial, 52, residents of Barangay Sagua Banwa, Valladolid, Negros Occidental; and and Joren Parochil, 22, and his 17-year-old co-worker.
Benjamin said Fajardo and Jurial went fishing on Friday, Oct. 25, on the sea between Guimaras and Pontevedra, Negros Occidental.
TWO fishermen (left) were rescued on Saturday, Oct. 26, in Silay City, Negros Occidental, a day after their boat capsized due to severe tropical storm ‘Kristine.’ (Photo courtesy of PCG-northern Negros Occidental)
However, their boat capsized due to strong winds and big waves. Their families informed the PCG that they are missing when they failed to go home that day.
At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, the Coast Guard Pulupandan informed Valladolid rescuers that they sighted an unnamed fishing boat in Barangay Tapong, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
Fifteen minutes later, the two fishermen were rescued after they were sighted by another fisherman floating for several hours while clinging on to an object in the sea of Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Benjamin said that the two fishermen felt weak as they had no food and water for almost 24 hours while floating at the sea. They were subjected to medical examination and brought home.
Jarochil and his companion from Cadiz City had been missing for two days since Thursday, Oct. 24, when they were found. They were rescued by fishermen after they were sighted on board a boat in Masbate on Saturday afternoon.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/26/2-fishermen-from-negros-occidental-missing
Benjamin said that the motor of their pump boat suddenly failed and drifted to an island in Masbate. Fortunately, they survived despite not having food and water on their boat, he added.
They went out to sea on Thursday morning to remove a squid net but they failed to go home that day.
Benjamin said they are under the custody of PCG-Masbate and will be subjected to medical examination. Once cleared, they will be transported back home to Cadiz, he added.
Meanwhile, Benjamin said no casualties or major maritime incidents were reported in the province during the onslaught of Kristine.