A FISHERMAN remained missing, while his two companions were rescued after their motorized banca was allegedly hit by a cargo vessel in the seawaters of Barangay Pugalo, Alcoy, Cebu on Saturday.
A search and retrieval operation has been launched for Christopher Aguitong, 32, who went missing after jumping from their banca when m/v Sunroad Yatsuka was heading toward them.
PO3 Emilio Carungay, chief investigator of the Alcoy Police Station, said the 14,941-gross tonnage bulk carrier vessel owned by Polar Star Line came from China and was sailing to Alcoy when the accident allegedly took place at 2:30 p.m.
In its marine protest, the ship management, however, said they were just rescuing the fishermen after the victims’ banca got broken.
“Nakit-an sila nga nagkawaykaway maong giadto sila (They were seen waving their hands, asking for help),” Carungay said.
Armando Edillon, 24, and Tirso Belista, 26, were rescued by the crew of the cargo vessel by throwing a life ring to them. The fishermen are from Barangay Consolacion, Dalaguete.
Initial investigation showed the victims were fishing in Barangay Pugalo at 10 a.m. when its banca got damaged by the waves.
The fishermen sought the help of Sunroad Yatsuka, which was sailing nearby. The cargo vessel was about to get raw materials in Dolomite Mining Corp. based in Alcoy.
When the cargo vessel under the command of Japanese captain Oguni Yefohiko was near, the fishermen reportedly jumped, but Aguitong was nowhere to be found since then.
According to his family and relatives, Aguitong doesn’t know how to swim.
It was also the second time Aguitong, who used to drive tricycle for a living, had gone fishing, the police investigator said.
During an ocular inspection, Carungay said they didn’t see any damage on the banca.
When interviewed by police, the rescued fishermen said they will not press charges against the shipping company as long they will be given financial assistance.
“Pobre raman sila. Tabang ra ilang gusto (They’re poor and just need financial help),” the police investigator said.
As of yesterday, Carungay said Aguitong has not been found and they are also patroling coastal villages in neighboring towns and asked residents in case they will find the victim. (DSM)