PCG rescues 10 fishermen off Busuanga

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines - Four fishermen remain missing after personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard rescued 10 fishermen from a distressed fishing boat in the rough waters near the vicinity of Busuanga Island in Palawan province, the PCG station here reported on Wednesday.

According to the reports received by the PCG, it was around 5 p.m. last Dec. 25 when a PCG  detachment in Tampulan, Busuanga reported that F/B Roxanne Ranger, which was then being skippered by a certain Andres Autrida and owned or being operated by Roxanne Combalester, encountered engine trouble at the said area.

Upon learning this, personnel of Tampulan PCG detachment immediately organized a search-and-rescue operation onboard a borrowed M/B Lemuel, which was owned by Edwin San Jose of Brgy. Talampulan in Busuanga.

However, because of an unfavorable weather condition then, the rescue team decided to return back to their station.

Upon resumption of their operation a day after, the PCG was able to find and rescue the distressed fishing boat, with 10 fishermen on board identified as Autida, the boat captain, 44; Dante Rustia, 32; Allan Basnig, 24; Ramil Basnig, 24; Danilo Veracis, 37; Jonas Autida, 18; Jose Chekito, 53; Ian Sambat, 18; Joshua Sambat, 17; and Roy Cabilan, 38. 

The said boat was towed during its rescue trip by F/B Ricky Roy, which was owned by Rolando Gomez of Brgy. Dalahican, Infanta, Quezon, and was skippered by Rolito Maata.

The rescued fishing boat and the 10 fishermen safely arrived at Brgy. Talampulan, Busuanga, Palawan, and they are now in good physical condition. 

Meanwhile, missing as of press time are local fishermen identified as Roberto Alviar, Jun-Jun Dalumpines, Marlo Soriano and Badong Remegio. The PCG in Busuanga said the said men, on-board an unidentified fishing banca, remain anchored at said area and are waiting for another rescue operation.

PCG said the subject vessels departed Brgy Dalahican, Infanta, Quezon last Nov. 9.