By John Clifford Lintao
THREE fishermen, who sailed to the sea amid an extremely bad weather, have been declared missing.
The fishermen from Basco and Uyugan localities in Batanes province failed to return to port in the middle of inclement weather, said the provincial government. The missing persons were Antonio Lizardo, 53; Eduardo Elica, 35; and Tinong Alviso, 45.
They were last seen near the islands of Itbayat and Siayan north of Basco, heading toward Mavudis Island.
“Maraming fishermen na nagpunta sa may north islands, pero malalaki na nga ang alon so maagang nagdatingan yung mga iba. Silang tatlo lang ang hindi nakabalik, at hapon na ‘yun. So nagtawag na kami sa Coast Guard,” Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco said.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
“Yung Marines sa Mavudis ay umiikot na sa island para tingnan, baka nandun sila,” she said. “Nai-report na rin ito kay Gen. [Ramiro] Rey ng NOLCOM [North Luzon Command] para po magpadala ng eroplano at matingnan sa ibang isla kapag gumanda ang panahon.”