BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Authorities are searching for a fisherfolk. His boat sank after it was allegedly hit by a cargo ship in the seas dividing Victorias City, Negros Occidental and Ajuy, Iloilo.
The fisherman was identified as 42-year-old Marlon Adigue Sr., a resident of Sitio Pasil in Barangay VI-A, Victorias City.
Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental (PCG) chief, Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin, said Adigue, along with 36-year-old Agustin Flors, left Victorias City on a fishing trip on Friday evening.
As they were fishing, an unknown cargo vessel rammed their small fishing boat, knocking Adigue off the boat. Flors, meanwhile managed to hold on to the fishing vessel.
Although damaged, the fishing vessel managed to return to Victorias City on its own power. Flors stated to PCG that he tried to look for Adigue, but had a difficult time. It was dark.
According to Benjamin, the seas separating Victorias City and Ajuy town is a busy shipping lane and mostly used by vessels heading to Metro Manila.
It is very likely that the unknown cargo vessel was not able to see the fishing boat as it lacks any identification lights.
Both the PCG in Negros Occidental and Iloilo are currently still conducting a search and rescue operation.
Benjamin also reminded fishermen to always make sure that their safety equipment before going out to sea, especially during the evening hours./PN
