MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Domeng left at least one person dead and many stranded as it moved out of the Philippine area of responsibility.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday identified the casualty as Algemon Dalisam Nuñez, 27, of Barangay Corong-Corong in El Nido, Palawan. He was an employee of Orange Pearl Resort.
Nuñez went missing at sea last week while he was looking for a jetski toppled by strong current as Domeng brought heavy rains.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), El Nido Police and resort personnel immediately conducted search and rescue operations to find Nuñez.
An African national saw a lifeless body on the seashore of Corong-Corong around 7:40 p.m. Friday, and called the attention of local authorities.
The NDRRMC said the resort staff and the victim’s family members later identified the cadaver as Nuñez.
6 fishermen rescued
Meanwhile, six Filipino fishermen were rescued by a passing South Korean vessel at sea off Mindoro last Saturday, the PCG said yesterday.
Crew member of KSL Seoul found fishermen Rodrigo Lungay, 56; Gerry Guzman, 49; Efepanio Balete, 35; Arturo Egang, 56; Dunio Delgado, 38, and Mario Lungay, 53, floating along Mindoro Strait.
The PCG said the fishermen were spotted holding on to their wooden fishing boat, Sister Reds, that capsized after it was accidentally hit by an unnamed bulk carrier vessel due to restricted visibility brought about by heavy rain in the area.
The crew of the foreign vessel rescued the distressed fishermen and coordinated with the PCG for the turnover.
The PCG then dispatched BRP Cape San Agustin (MRRV 4408) to the site located some 12 nautical miles off Bayacas, Lubang Island along Mindoro Strait.
The rescued fishermen were given necessary medical attention.
9 hikers safe
Nine Bulacan State University students who got stranded in the mountains of Bataan over the weekend were also rescued, the military announced yesterday.
Students Quirino Santiago, Leomart Mangawan, Carlo Fuentez, Jovito Bacay Jr., Ian Carlo, Reniel Calooy, Federico Odiada, Jeffrey Culilap, and Arjan Eteban were hiking in the forested area of Mount Natib and got stranded due to heavy rains and flooding.
Northern Luzon Command public information office chief Lt. Col. Isagani Nato said Army troops in Mount Natib rescued the students around 12:10 a.m. Saturday.
The students were brought to Tala Patrol Base in Barangay Tala, Orani, Bataan for medical assistance. – With Edu Punay, Ding Cervantes