7 fishermen swept by waves due to 'Basyang' rescued

Seven fishermen earlier reported missing after the onslaught of Typhoon Basyang on Wednesday have been successfully rescued by authorities in Catanduanes, a military official said Friday. Four of the fishermen, identified as Antonio Tayoto, Marlon Tayoto, Alex Azicate and Jason Arcilla, were found at the seashore of Barangay Tabugoc in Pandan town on Friday morning, Major Harold Cabunoc of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division reported. Three other survivors — Blandy Encontro, Victor Bordeos and April Orbe — were rescued by Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopters at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the vicinity of Barangay Siruma, also in Pandan town, he added. The fishermen were reported missing on Wednesday after strong waves brought by the typhoon caused a passenger motor boat they were riding to capsize along the vicinity waters of Pandan town. The fishermen were brought to nearby hospitals for treatment immediately after they were rescued, Cabunoc said. According to the latest report from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), five people have been confirmed dead in the Bicol region due to Basyang. Two additional helicopters have already been deployed in the area for continued search-and-rescue operations, according to Cabunoc. Basyang, which brought strong winds and caused a massive power outage across Luzon and Metro Manila on Tuesday, left Philippine territory on Thursday morning as it headed for China. State weather forecasters said Basyang was the first of three weather disturbances expected to visit the Philippines in July. — with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMANews.TV