BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO – Seven fishermen aboard a distressed fishing banca were rescued in the waters of San Joaquin town on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 13.
Coast Guard station commander Paterno Belarmino Jr. told Panay News that the operation was initiated following a call received around 11 a.m. by the Tigbauan substation from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of San Joaquin.
The report indicated that an unnamed fishing banca had encountered engine trouble in the vicinity waters of San Joaquin, prompting an immediate response from the joint Deployable Response Team of Coast Guard Tigbauan and San Joaquin substations and Guimbal clearing outpost.
Utilizing the FBCA Tropic JC 1 with six crew members, the combined team swiftly located the distressed fishing banca approximately eight nautical miles southeast of San Joaquin and successfully rescued all seven fishermen on board.
Subsequently, the rescue vessel towed the unnamed fishing banca to Barangay Cabubugan, Guimbal, Iloilo for safekeeping.
The fishermen, all residents of Barangay Nalundan, Guimbal, were in good physical condition. They were:
* Jose Gilbao, 53
* Joper Lapi 50
* Francis Ascura, 35
* Arnil Balinas, 40
* Jeramil Gilbao, 37
* Garry Tupaz, 41
* Peter Gilbao, 39.
The distress was attributed by the authorities to the challenging conditions of strong currents and big waves in the area.
The prompt coordination with the nearest fishing boats anchored in the vicinity played a pivotal role in the successful execution of the rescue mission, showcasing the effective collaboration between the Coast Guard units and local maritime stakeholders.
Belarmino urged the fisherfolk to coordinate with the local authorities before setting out to sail for safety measures.
“Atun ginapanawagan, especially sa atun fishing bancas, nga mag-coordinate gid sila sa coast guard kag LGU (local government unit) bag-o maglakat. Kay ang purpose na para mabal-an ta kay pareho na sa tyempo subong mabalod, kay kung wala kami idea. Ang amun na ang ma-inform kami sa Coast Guard kag LGU kung diin sila mangisda para if ever may mga emerhensya mabal-an na dayun kung diin kami ma-rescue. Kag gina-require namun magdala sila safety equipment, cellphone, ibilin man ang cellphone number sa amon, life jacket kag life ring, para if ever masamaran sila makatawag sila sa amon,” he said./PN
