A fishing boat from Cadiz City in Negros Occidental sank in the waters between Carles town in Iloilo province and Sicogon Island at 1 a.m. Friday leaving nine passengers, including the captain, missing, Captain Ludovico Librilla, Philippine Coast Guard Western Visayas deputy commander, said.
He said 22 others on board the FB St. Peter The Fisherman II owned by Tristar Shipping Corp. based in Cadiz City were rescued, along with three others on a skiff boat.
Their three other companions on board the skiff boat were able to rescue those on board the sinking vessel, Librilla said.
The 22 on board the FB St. Peter the Fishermen II and the three others on the skiff boat were brought by the fish carrier, FB Old Man and the Sea, to the Cadiz City Commercial Port at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Librilla said.
The 25 survivors were examined by Cadiz City Health Office personnel and are in good physical condition.
Pablito Desamparado, a survivor, said they were fishing when big waves and strong wind battered the FB St. Peter The Fisherman II causing it to tilt on its left side and sink, Librilla added.
Librilla said among the nine who are missing are the captain from Toboso town, five residents of Cadiz City and one from Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, the sonar operator from Bantayan, Cebu, and the chief engineer from Estancia, Iloilo.*