SAN FERNANDO CITY– Only 13 of the 222 fishermen from Pangasinan who were declared as missing in the West Philippine Sea when Typhoon “Kabayan” hit last Oct. 2 remain unaccounted for.

The number could be down to 12 if the body recovered dead by the Philippine Navy at past 4:00 p.m. of Oct. 7 is confirmed to be one of the 12 fishermen missing, 

Capt. Albert Mogol, Navy commander in Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union, said the fisherman’s remains were recovered 75 nautical miles off Cape Bolinao by crewmen of the rescue vessel BRP Apolinario, Mabini.

The vessel which was carrying the body, arrived at Poro Point in San Fernando City last Thursday early morning.

“The body was found floating off Bolinao waters and was already in advanced state of decomposition.

Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Melchito Castro said they have yet to establish whether the recovered body belongs to one of the 13 still missing fishermen from Pangasinan.

“We are not yet sure whether the body that was recovered was a fisherman until the DILG verifies it,” he said.

The search and rescue operations for the missing fishermen by the Navy and the Philippine Coast Guards were supposed to have been terminated last Friday.

The 13 missing include seven from Balingasay, Bolinao; 3 from Barangay Baraoan and 2 from Tupa, both of Agno; and one from Poblacion, Dasol.

One of the fishermen from Dasol identified as Mentong Quintero died and his body was found in Barangay Aloleng, Agno. (Leonardo Micua)

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