Fisherman missing in Masbate after boat figures in collision

A FISHERMAN was declared missing while his brother was rescued when their fishing boat figured in a collision with an unidentified vessel off Burias Island in Masbate, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.

In a statement, the PCG said the incident occurred last August 10 involving the ill-fated fishing boat MBCA Dandan.

Citing the results of the investigation conducted by the Coast Guard Station Masbate, the PCG said the fishermen were asleep “when the unidentified vessel collided with their boat” at around 2 a.m.

One of the fishermen, Roland Marientes, 37, was sighted and rescued by a transiting vessel, the MV Virgen De Penafrancia VII.

The vessel, operated by the Starhorse Shipping Lines, was on its way to Masbate City Port at that time, the PCG said.

“However, his (Marientes) brother remains missing,” the PCG said, referring to Roldan Marientes, 23, who is the subject of continuing search and rescue operations.

The PCG said its unit in Masbate has coordinated with barangay officials and fisherfolk to be on alert for the possible sighting of the missing fisherman.

The PCG said it is conducting further investigation to ascertain the unidentified vessel involved in the collision.

“(We) will share investigation and SAR (search and rescue) operations update as soon as they are available,” the PCG said.