9 fishing vessel crew still missing, 25 rescued off Sicogon and Iloilo

Nine crew members of a fishing boat that capsized off Sicogon Island and Carles, Iloilo yesterday morning remain missing, while 25 others were rescued and are now in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

Initial report from the Coast Guard Station in Cadiz indicated that the 25 rescued crew members of sunken FV St. Peter the Fisherman were brought to the Cadiz City Commercial Port on board FV Old Man and the Sea past 5 p.m. yesterday Sept. 24.

Reported still missing were identified in the Coast Guard report as Boat Captain Frankie Chavez, resident of Toboso; Sonar operator Norberto Parlotzo of Bantayan, Cebu; Steermen Renante Forsuelo and Victor Calvo, both of Cadiz City;

Chief engineer Herminio Ronamo of Estancia, Iloilo, 3rd Engr. Manuel Auditor of Cadiz; Piscador Rommel Engle of Cadiz; Piscador Julit Salvo of Don Salvador Benedicto; and Cook Julian Dungog of Cadiz.

They are subjects of search and rescue operations led by the Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Cadiz groups, among others.

Initial investigations by the Coast Guard as told by the sunken vessel’s Second Mate, Pablito Desamparado,

revealed that at about 1 a.m. yesterday, while fishing between Sicogon Island and Carles, Iloilo, strong winds and big waves battered FB St. Peter II that resulted to its sinking.

Second Mate Desamparado said that Cadiz City Health Office personnel led by CHO head Dr. Maria Victoria Ybanez checked on their health prior to sending them home.*