8 Concepcion fishers reported missing
Eight local fishermen in Concepcion, Iloilo were reported missing as strong winds and waves brought by Tropical Storm “Feria” hit Northern Iloilo yesterday.
Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday morning declared Northern Iloilo under storm signal number 2.
An initial alert of ten missing fishers was sounded off by the town’s deputized coordinator to Jerry Bionat of the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC). Fortunately, after initial search and rescue, two fishermen of the capsized “4 Sisters” pumpboat were aided back to shore.
Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Romeo Lanciola first reported to Aksyon Radyo Iloilo the missing five pumpboats.
Lanciola said the four pumpboats, namely, Durabeth, MM, 4 Sisters, and Niño, came from Malangabang Island while the other one – Nicole Jane – came from Brgy. Tambalisa in Pan de Azucar Island all belonging to Concepcion town.
Lanciola said the pumpboats set sail early in the morning to catch fish probably without knowing that there is a storm signal.
The Philippine Coast Guard immediately conducted search and rescue operations on the missing fishermen off the waters of Concepcion town.