Camarines Norte – The body of a missing crew member from the commercial fishing boat John PJ2, which sank early Sunday morning in the waters of Mercedes, was found early Monday morning.
The ten survivors confirmed that the deceased was Arvin Dangculos, a resident of Barangay San Roque, Mercedes. They recounted that Dangculos was unable to swim to shore after losing consciousness when his head hit the boat’s hull while being battered by huge waves near the mouth of the Mercedes River.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard Mercedes Station, the boat’s owner had advised the captain to take shelter in Canimog Island due to rough seas, but the captain insisted on returning home.
In Canimog, a small fishing boat had already capsized the night before due to large waves, but all four passengers were rescued. Similarly, four individuals aboard the boat MV Rufo, which also sank on Saturday while attempting to navigate through large waves caused by the meeting of seawater and river water, were saved.
Meanwhile, two fishermen who went out to sea on Friday afternoon despite rough seas in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, have been reunited with their families.
The victims, both senior citizens and residents of Barangay Parang, recounted that their boat was overturned by large waves on Saturday morning near Barangay Parola. They were spotted floating in the sea by the crew of FB JJ, who rescued them and brought them to the nearest shore in Barangay San Lorenzo, Sta. Elena.
Despite being submerged in the sea for several hours, they were in stable condition, according to an assessment by the Sta. Elena Municipal Health Center.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Southern Luzon reported that a shear line was causing rough seas in Camarines Norte, prompting the PCG-Mercedes to temporarily suspend the entry and exit of small sea vessels into the Mercedes River. I Jonathan Magistrado
Photo : Mercedes PNP