5 Bantayan fishermen rescued in Biliran

CEBU, Philippines - The five fishermen from Bantayan Island who were reported missing last Monday are now safe after they were rescued by residents of Maripipi Island of Biliran province last Tuesday afternoon.

The fishermen sailed from Sta. Fe for Tangginggi islet in Madridejos last week but failed to go home last Monday as expected due to the rough seas brought by typhoon Gener.

They are Marcelino Ablania, 40; Emmanuel Padilla, 30; Mario Padilla, 40; Froilan Albelda, 26; and Benjie Sinadan, 32, all residents of Kinatarcan islet in Sta. Fe.

Upon coordination with the Office of Civil Defense in Eastern Visayas the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu was informed of the rescue made in Maripipi Island at around 4:00 in the afternoon.

The PCG-Cebu called Kinatarcan barangay captain Marcos Gilbuena, who called Carnaza barangay captain Joe Moreno. Moreno confirmed the report through his relatives in Maripipi.

“Akong gipa-confirm lang kay basin ug dili mao pero sila gyud diay…okay na,” Gilbuena told The FREEMAN in a phone interview. (It’s really them.)

The fishermen were taken to the Maripipi Rural Health Unit for check up.

The fishermen ignored warnings issued against sailing because of the storm.

They were in the Visayan sea near Biliran province when the engine of their fishing boat malfunctioned.

They held on to their boat and were washed ashore in the island town of Maripipi.

The local government unit of the Maripipi assured to assist the fishermen in going back to Kinatarcan as soon as the weather improves.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAG-ASA) expected typhoon Gener to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility this afternoon.

But Cebu will still experience rain and rough seas due to the southwest monsoon.

— with Mel Caspe, Correspondent/JPM (FREEMAN)