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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider 6 missing fishers safely return home

6 missing fishers safely return home

Published Feb 28, 2026 01:39 pm
COAST Guard Davao Oriental personnel with the crew of MBCA Liezl. (CGDSEM)
COAST Guard Davao Oriental personnel with the crew of MBCA Liezl. (CGDSEM)
DAVAO CITY – Six fishermen from Davao Oriental safely returned home on Feb. 27, a week after they were reported missing by the Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM).
The provincial government of Davao Oriental confirmed that the MBCA Liezl docked at the Port of City of Mati on Friday.
In a statement, the provincial government said that they were not lost at sea.
But they were forced to remain in the open sea due to bad weather and strong currents that they encountered some 60 to 90 nautical miles off the coast of Pujada Island, also in Davao Oriental.
“Due to dangerous conditions, the fishermen opted to wait for the sea to calm down. Moreover, they were not able to call for help as the batteries of their radio were already drained,” the provincial government added.
The CGDSEM issued a Notice to Mariners on Monday, Feb. 23, after MBCA Liezl, which left the Port of Manay in Davao Oriental on Feb. 20, was reported missing.
Crew members were identified as Ignacio Manuel, 52; Alejandro Dormal Jr., 48; Cristobal Manuel, 27, all from Sta Maria, Davao Occidental; Jose Sarajena, 70, and Jacinto Pacyao, 56, both from Upper Acharon, Calumpang, General Santos City, and 43-year-old Darwin Mag-aso of Barangay Tibanban, Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental.
The provincial government said families of the fishermen reached out to authorities after they failed to return to the port from a fishing trip.
The CGDSEM and Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao launched a joint search and rescue operation using air and floating assets.
A fellow fisherman, Dennis Gubalani, located them and lent his radio to relay to authorities that they were safe.
Upon arrival at the Port of Mati, the fishermen were taken to a hospital for check-up and were cleared by local health authorities.
The provincial government extended assistance to fishermen.

Related Tags

Missing person Coast Guard PCG Davao Oriental Fishermen
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