Helicopter search on for fishermen

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed a helicopter to assist in search and rescue (SAR) operations for four missing fishermen off Bolinao, Pangasinan.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo said that their helicopter left the PCG Air Group in Pasay City at around 7 a.m. and went to the site where the fishermen were last sighted.

The PCG already dispatched its 25-meter tugboat Habagat from La Union to proceed to the site and conduct SAR operations.

It also issued a notice to mariners (Notam) to alert other vessels passing through the area to be on the lookout for the four missing fishermen. They also informed the coastal communities to be on the lookout for them.

Still reported missing were Fred Celino, Arnold Garcia, Domy de los Santos, and Amante Resonable.

Initial information reaching the PCG showed that the fishing boat Axl John, carrying eight men, sailed last June 18 and the following day they met big waves that flooded their boat and caused it to submerge.

They were able to secure their boat to a long bamboo pole that serves as a marker for a payaw or an artificial fishing ground located 78 nautical miles northwest of Bolinao.

On June 20, a passing vessel hit the bamboo pole and caused the fishermen to loosen their hold and drift in different directions.

The vessel that reportedly hit the payaw was believed to be the M/V Peach Mountain, a Hong Kong-registered bulk carrier cargo vessel.

The PCG is still verifying if the cargo ship was indeed involved in the incident.

Four of the eight fishermen were rescued by passing boats last June 23. They were identified as Edimeo Balmores, 40, Herman Balmores, 51, Celino Damian, 32, and Christopher Carbonell who later died at a local hospital.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had provided P10,000 cash as burial assistance and food packs for the family of Carbonell.

He said that the local government of Bolinao would shoulder the burial expenses of the deceased fisherman.

Lacierda said the DSWD also provided P5,000 cash and food packs to the injured Balmores brothers and Damian.

He said the victims are now being treated at a rural health clinic in Bolinao.

Lacierda said that P5,000 cash and food packs were also given to the families of the four missing fishermen. With Aurea Calica