INFANTA — As Pangasinan braced for Typhoon Nina last December 26, a crewman of a fishing boat from the coastal town of Infanta was declared missing near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Ferdinand Salvador, 48, of Barangay Nayom in Infanta, was reported missing when he left F/B Marvin Safely, on board a banca in the afternoon of December 21 and failed to return to the boat.

Rey Montehermosa, boat operator of “F/B Marvin Safely”, reported Salvador’s failure to return to the Infanta Police Station at 2:00 p.m., December 25 upon reaching Barangay Cato.

Montehermosa said, without informing his fellow crewmen, Salvador launched a small banca (series Pakura) on December 21 in order to fish alone. At that time, alert about Typhoon Nina was already being raised.

The crew of F/B Marvin Safely decided to wait for Salvador at their position until 4:00 p.m. of December 23 but Salvador did not show up.

The crew conducted surface search at 5:00 a.m. of December 22 and decided to return home midnight of December 23 after failing to find any trace of Salvador.

The Philippine Coast Guard issued an alert to all fishing boats transiting in the area and fisherfolk in nearby coastal barangays to be on lookout for Salvador.

Five fishermen from Cato, Infanta on board F/B John Paul were also reported missing two weeks ago.  (Leonardo Micua)

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