MANILA, Philippines — A search and rescue operation has been launched for a fisherman who went missing at the Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales on July 26, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday.
The PCG dispatched BRP Malabrigo and an Islander plane to look for Luz Piliin, 42, of Barangay Mangan Vaca, Subic, Zambalez.
Initial information received by the PCG headquarters showed Piliin and his fellow fishermen went on a fishing expedition on board F/B Rez Ronel.
On the day he was reported missing, Piliin disembarked from Rez Ronel and boarded a smaller boat to survey the area where they could fish.
Authorities said Piliin could have encountered strong winds and big waves, and failed to return to Rez Ronel.
Piliin’s wife alerted the PCG-Zambales station about the incident on Friday, PCG spokesperson Cmdr. Armand Balilo said.
“We were supposed to send search and rescue teams that same day, but bad weather prevented us. Malabrigo and the Islander plane were only dispatched the following day,” Balilo said.