PCG: A fisherman was injured, another was missing while five others were rescued after a collision incident damaged their fishing boat in the early hours of Friday, August 22 in Negros Occidental.

The missing fisherman was identified as Fernan Tolentino, 20 years old, and a resident of Alacaygan, Banate, Iloilo. 

Investigation revealed that fishing banca "Prince Armiel" was accidentally hit by the bow of barge SMV Loader around 4:20AM.

SMV Loader, pushed by M/Tug Seamine 1, departed Bredco Port in Bacolod City at 12:15AM. Said vessels were supposedly bound for Naga, Cebu and was loaded with 78 pieces of 20-footer container vans when the incident occurred four nautical miles off West Tomonton, E.B. Magalona.

Prince Armiel was totally damaged by the incident and all of its seven crew members fell overboard. 

Six of its crew were rescued, one of whom was injured, by the crew members of SMV Loader. Meanwhile, the crew of M/Tug Seamine 1 searched for Tolentino, but with negative results, proceeded back to Bredco Port to bring the injured fisherman to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital.

The rest of the fishermen were brought to Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Bredco for further investigation and for their boat owner, Ariel Baylon, to fetch them.

Another search and rescue operations was conducted by the personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Bacolod, CGSS Victorias and Special Operations Group, but was later suspended due to rough seas. 

The fishermen were identified as follows:

1. Ryan Germo – 29 y/o of San Salvador, Banate Iloilo

2. Christopher Baldemor (injured) – 34 y/o of San Salvador, Banate Iloilo

3. Nilo Amene (captain) – 28 y/o of Alacaygan, Banate, Iloilo

4. Leo Amene – 30 y/o of Alacaygan, Banate, Iloilo

5. Alonie Vihante Jr – 35 y/o of Alacaygan, Banate, Iloilo

6. Roel Baculto – 20 y/o of Alacaygan, Banate, Iloilo

7. Fernan Tolentino (missing) – 20 y/o Alacaygan, Banate, Iloilo

The team advised the barangay officials and fisher folks of nearby coastal areas to be on the look-out for Tolentino and report to the nearest Coast Guard Station/Sub-station for possible sighting.