By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The two fishermen from Bacolod City’s Barangay Punta Taytay who went missing last week in the waters between Guimaras and Iloilo remain missing.

Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the Western Visayas, said Sixto Tiangao and Rodel Despojo, the boat’s captain, have yet to be found after their fishing boat capsized when it was rammed by a roll-on/roll-off vessel.

The PCG official also provided details of the fishermen’s clothing at the time of the incident, noting, Despujo was wearing a blue jacket and blue jogging pants, while Tiangao was wearing a yellow jacket.

He said the information was disseminated to nearby coastal barangays, fisherfolk, and vessels traversing between Panay and Negros.

Palabrica added, PCG patrol vessel BRP Davao del Norte joined the search, which has been led by the BRP Cape Engaño, along with two other smaller patrol crafts, since last Friday.

Meanwhile, the two reported individuals spotted off the coast of Anini-y, Antique were from a separate fishing vessel that had capsized last week due to unfavorable sea conditions.

PCG personnel identified the two as 40-year-old Jerry Baat, Sr. and his son, 20-year-old Jerry Jr., both residents of Barangay Nalundan in Guimbal, Iloilo.

Palabrica said the two went out to fish around 4:00 a.m. on Friday and their boat capsized later that morning, around 7:00 a.m.

The two were rescued by the town’s local disaster risk reduction management office and were brought to the local Dao District Hospital.

The father and son were discharged later that day after medical staff reported they were in good condition./DGB, WDJ