Two fishermen, who are residents of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, were reported missing, after they failed to return to their homes Dec. 15.
This prompted the Philippine Coast Guard in Negros Occidental to conduct search and rescue operations yesterday to locate the two fishermen, identified as Noel Dela Cruz, 19, and Joevel Tipon, 29.
Captain Ludovico Librilla, PCG-Negros Occidental commander and Coast Guard District Western Visayas deputy commander, said the two fishermen, who left their homes Dec. 14, were nowhere to be found, as of this time.
Librilla said they were last spotted at around 4 p.m. Dec. 14 between the territorial waters of Guiwanin island in Guimaras, and Pontevedra, Negros Occidental.
The PCG has issued an alert to all vessels traversing the area to keep a lookout for the two fishermen.
The PCG in Binalbagan had launched a search and rescue operation but due to the rough seas, the team opted to go back ashore and seek the help of residents in the coastal areas of southern Negros.
Librilla raised the possibility that the two have taken shelter in the surrounding islands off Guimaras. — GB,MML
