2 of 6 missing fishermen from Surigao City rescued

BUTUAN CITY – The Coast Guard Station in Surigao del Norte (CGSSDN) on Sunday said it rescued two of the six fishermen from Surigao City who were reported missing since March 1.

In its report, the CGSSDN said the two fishermen were rescued by a passing fishing banca identified as FBCA Golden Top 888 on Saturday in the waters between Bohol Sea and Siquijor province.

The FBCA Golden Top 888 turned over the rescued fishermen, identified as Joseph Mapalo, 35, a resident of Barangay Cagniog, and Jesmar Besing, 36, of

Barangay San Juan, both of Surigao City, to the CGSSDN.

The six fishermen left Barangay Canlanipa, Surigao City in the afternoon of Feb. 28 for a fishing venture in the vicinity of Limasawa Island.

However, rough waves in the waters of San Ricardo, Southern Leyte damaged the bow portion of their fishing boat.

“They managed to report the incident to their relatives through phone calls but lost communications due to an unstable network connection,” the CGS-SDN report read.

The six abandoned their ill-fated fishing boat and swam together but were separated due to the strong current.

“The CGS-SDN continues to coordinate with other Coast Guard units for the possible sightings of the remaining four fishermen. We urge the general public to render the necessary assistance and immediately report to authorities if they are sighted,” CGS-SDN station commander Jerick Maglangit said.

The rescued fishermen were later turned over to the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Surigao City for immediate medical treatment.