One crew member died, two are missing and 15 were rescued when a fishing boat sank off Zamboanga City, according to the police report on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Police Colonel Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office director, said the incident happened around 7 p.m. Saturday along the sea waters of Labuan village, Zamboanga City.

Lorenzo identified the fatality as Liberato Butad, 54, a resident of General Santos City and a crew member of fishing boat FB Jayson-7.

The two missing crewmen of the same fishing boat were identified as Virgilo Eupena, 63, and Edgar Corales, 50, both residents of General Santos City.

Lorenzo said based on the statement of Jobe Escalante, skipper of FB Jayson-7, the fishing boat was sailing to Pangutaran, an island town in Sulu, coming from the fishing port in Sangali village, Zamboanga City when they were battered by big waves due to inclement weather condition.

Escalante said FB Jayon-7 sank and they were rescued by the crew aboard a fishing light boat, FB Jal-10.

The remains of Butad were brought to a local funeral parlor.

Lorenzo said personnel of the Coast Guard Labuan-Sub Station launched a search and rescue operation upon receiving a report about the incident. (SunStar Zamboanga)