BAJO DE MASINLOC, ZAMBALES – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is conducting a search and rescue operation to save the lives of 13 missing fishermen who were onboard fishing boat “FFB Three Sister” when it sank near the waters of Bajo de Masinloc in the Province of Zambales.

Coast Guard Station in Bataan has dispatched three floating assets – BRP Tubbataha, BRP Capones, and BRP Boracay – to conduct the operation.

One fisherman named Angelito Epetito Jr. was successfully rescued few hours after the receipt of report. He was found floating along Bajo de Masinloc using a container.

According to Epetito, fishing boat “FFB Three Sister” sank due to strong winds and big waves brought by Tropical Cyclone “Quiel” on 07 November 2019 at around 3 o’clock in the morning as it was sailing from Recto Bank going to Barangay Sisiman in Mariveles, Bataan.

The rescued fisherman also narrated that he was separated from 13 fellow fishermen and was unable to regroup with them. He remained afloat for four days until rescue came, as the incident was only reported to Coast Guard Station in Bataan thru radio communication on 11 November 2019.

Finally, PCG is also set to coordinate with the Chinese Coast Guard to seek information on the whereabouts of the 13 missing fishermen in the area.

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