Authorities continue to search for a 30-year-old fisherman who went missing off the coast of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, July 17, amid rough sea conditions.
Seaborne operations are ongoing after the fisherman’s motorized boat was found drifting near Suyac Island, Jorge Cabalag, Operations and Warning Officer of the Sagay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said Friday.
The missing fisherman is a resident of Barangay Old Sagay and was last seen by fellow fishermen around 3 a.m. Thursday.
The incident occurred as strong winds and rainfall, brought about by an orange rainfall warning, battered northern Negros Occidental.
Cabalag warned local fishermen to refrain from venturing out to sea, even in the absence of a gale warning, due to unpredictable weather patterns and hazardous sea conditions.
Despite the inclement weather, Cabalag said the Philippine Coast Guard–Sagay Substation, DRRM Sagay, and the Bantay Dagat of the Sagay Marine Reserve are continuing their search and rescue efforts.
Since the Sagay DRRMO released the advisory through their official Facebook page, relatives, neighbors, and residents have been expressing hope and praying for the fisherman’s safe return.*