12 missing fishermen rescued off WVisayas

At least 12 fishermen earlier reported missing off Western Visayas were rescued from their vessel that stalled after big waves battered it Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday. Radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo cited reports reaching the Coast Guard that the crew members of the fishing boat “Salvan," earlier reported to be 10, had been brought to their homes. Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said they managed to talk to one of the fishermen, Elizardo Alfreda, who affirmed they were safe. Alfreda said water entered their vessel but they dumped the water to keep the boat from sinking, at least until a Coast Guard search-and-rescue vessel located them. On Wednesday, the Coast Guard cited initial reports indicating that “Salvan" left Dawahon Bato in Leyte en route to Palawan to fish at 5 a.m. last Monday. (See: Coast Guard searches for 10 missing crew members in WVisayas) But the Coast Guard report said the fishing boat sank after encountering "unfavorable weather and sea condition." While the vessel was half-submerged, one of the crewmembers, Elizaldo Alfreda, contacted a relative through cell phone asking for help and informing her of their last position and situation. The Coast Guard Western Visayas District then directed the BRP Davao del Norte (SARV-3504) to conduct search and rescue operations. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV