MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano has ordered a search and rescue operation after a 56-year old fisherman from Luzbanzon, Jasaan town was reported missing after sailing off the shore drunk, over the weekend.
Emano has instructed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to help the family look for the missing fisherman identified as Apollo Absin.
PDRRM officer Fernando Dy Jr. said the report was transmitted around 9 a.m. Sunday, two hours after Absin went fishing.
Dy said the family warned and prohibited Absin to leave but the latter did not heed and listen.
"Siya ra usa naglawig sa iyang bangka nga bugsay unya hubog siya. Gibawalan siya sa pamilya pero wala kini maminaw,"Dy said.
Absin has not been found yet as of Monday evening, November 5, while the search and rescue operation continues.
Dy said the governor has instructed to help the town's local disaster office in the search and rescue efforts and seek help from the Philippine Coast Guard.
He said disaster offices of other municipalities were also tapped for help.
Dy said Absin could have been buffeted by winds towards the neighboring towns or provinces.
"Daghan kasinatian nato nga makita ang mga mananagat nga buhi sa mga silingan nga lungsod o sa probinsya sa Camiguin," he said.
(We have several experiences where we safely rescued alive fishermen in neighboring towns or in Camiguin province)
"We hope nga makita nato siya ug labaw sa tanan nga unta buhi,"he added.
(We hope to find him and hopefully he is alive)
Dy reiterated his warning for fishermen not to sail when drunk or when the weather is bad.