Search on for 13 missing fishermen

The Coast Guard has launched a search and rescue mission for 13 Bataan fishermen who went missing last week after their fishing vessel sank in the waters off Bajo De Masinloc in Zambales.

Three multi-role response vessels BRP Tubbataha, BRP Capones and BRP Boracay

from Manila and Subic had been deployed to locate the missing fishermen.

“BRP Tubbataha, BRP Capones, and

BRP Boracay are still conducting search and rescue operations near Bajo De Masinloc. We will also coordinate with China Coast Guard baka may nakuha sila. Meron na kasing incident before na na-rescue ng China Coast Guard at ng passing vessel (We will also coordinate with the China Coast Guard if they were able to rescue some of them. There was an incident before where the China Coast Guard and a passing vessel rescued the victims),” Coast Guard spokesperson Captain Armand Balilo said.

The 14th fisherman, Angelito Epetito,

Jr who survived the sea tragedy told the Coast Guard that his group were already heading for home from Recto Bank Thursday when their fishing boat sunk after encountering strong winds and big waves during the onslaught of Tropical Cyclone “Quiel.”

Epetito, Jr. was found by a fishing vessel Friday at 1:30 a.m floating while clinging on a container about 30 nautical miles southeast off Bajo De Masinloc.

Epetito told authorities that they left Recto Bank Wednesday last week and was transiting back to their homeport in Barangay Sisiman, Mariveles in Bataan when their vessel was whipped by big waves. The vessel reportedly started to sink separating him from the group. While he managed to stay afloat, the other fishermen were nowhere in sight.

Balilo said they only knew about the incident and the missing fishermen when they were informed by the crew of “FFB Joseph” who found Epetito at sea.

The fishermen left their homeport on October 28.