DASOL, PANGASINAN – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to search for seven missing fishermen since 14 January 2020 during a fishing venture along the vicinity waters off Barangay Hermosa, Dasol, Pangasinan.

Initial reports revealed that the missing fishermen onboard fishing banca (FB) Narem 2 ventured out to sea for a fishing activity on 06 January 2020. They failed to return in Infanta, Pangasinan on their return date, 14 January 2020, as reported by the owner of said fishing banca, Christine Macaraig.

FB Narem 2 was skippered by Captain Alberto Roldan. Other missing crew members included: Roderick Montemayor, Homar Maglantay, Ejay Dela Cruz, Jerome Maglantay, Larry Legaspi, and Jefferson Bernabe.

Macaraig was able to coordinate with FB Narem 2 through radio communications around 2:30 p.m. on 13 January 2020 and was informed that the fishing boat encountered big waves around 13 feet in height. Their last reported location was at 60 nautical miles off Camaso Island in Dasol, Pangasinan. No further information about their whereabouts was received thereafter.

The PCG deployed BN Islander plane to conduct aerial surveillance approximately 60-90 nautical miles off Camaso Island, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has deployed multi-mission offshore vessel, BRP Lapu-Lapu to conduct joint maritime patrol and search for the missing fishermen. 

Meanwhile, PCG Station in Pangasinan has already advised local fishers to be on the look-out for the missing fishing boat and inform the nearest PCG unit about their location to render necessary assistance.