Coast Guard: 9 missing fishermen allegedly sighted in Mindoro

MANILA -- The nine fishermen who were earlier reported missing off the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea were allegedly found stranded in an island in Occidental Mindoro, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

The PCG Southern Tagalog District received a report from the Philippine National Police Maritime Group that a stranded motor banca with nine passengers was sighted at the Cabra Island of the said province last Wednesday.

The PCG also received information that a certain Rolly Claro, brother-in-law of one of the missing fishermen, reported the sighting.

After verifying the reported sightings and gathering more information, the PCG learned that M/Bca Jericho, the boat which carried the nine fishermen, took shelter in an uninhabited place near the said island because its astern part was damaged.

Authorities scoured the area and even conducted a seaborne patrol operation at the nearby waters but reported negative results.

Residents near the scoured areas and owners and operators of fishing and motor bancas were urged by authorities to be on the look-out regarding the missing and now allegedly stranded nine fishermen.

The nine fishermen were reported missing since October 1 after they failed to return from their fishing venture off the Scarborough or Panatag Shoal.

The missing fishermen were identified as: Ricky Quidez, Mac Mac Quidez, Melbert Quidez, Joven Cervantes, Glen Reyes, Gardo Docusin, Rogelio Elesterio Sr., Joseph Valdez, Bibiano Dela Peña III.

Authorities earlier conducted search operations in four towns in Zambales. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)