BACOLOD City — A 59-year-old fisherman remains missing after he was reportedly struck by lightning while tending a fish cage off the coast of Barangay Central Tabao, Valladolid, Negros Occidental, on the evening of June 17.
According to a report from the Valladolid Municipal Police Station (MPS), authorities received information about the incident at around 10:45 p.m. from a barangay tanod of Barangay Central Tabao.
Police officers immediately responded to the area to verify the report and conduct an investigation.
Initial findings showed that the victim, a widower and resident of Purok Bansa, Barangay Central Tabao, had gone to a fish cage, locally known as a “tangaban,” with a fellow fisherman at around 7 p.m.
The victim’s companion told investigators that while they were tending the fish cage, a sudden lightning strike hit the area. He sought shelter for safety and temporarily lost sight of the victim. When the weather disturbance subsided, he returned to the fish cage but found that the victim was no longer there.
Despite searching the area, the companion was unable to locate the fisherman due to strong water currents. He later returned to shore and sought assistance from local authorities.
A search and rescue operation was immediately launched involving personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Bantay Dagat, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
However, despite extensive search efforts throughout the night, rescuers failed to locate the missing fisherman.
Authorities temporarily suspended the operation because of hazardous sea conditions and strong currents that posed risks to rescue teams. Search operations were scheduled to resume the following morning.
As of this writing, the fisherman remains missing, and his condition is still unknown. Authorities continue to coordinate search and rescue efforts in hopes of locating the victim./PN
