SEBASTE, Antique – A fishermen from Barangay Aras-asan missing since Jan. 1 was rescued by fishermen from San Jose de Buenavista yesterday morning, Jan. 4.
According to his sister, Bernie Francisco set out to sea early morning of Jan. 1 and failed to return home.
His family sought the help of the Philippine Coast Guard and Sebaste police station but to no avail.
On Monday around 5 a.m., while Mark Lorenz Pedrina, father Ludovico and cousin Anthony John Libao were fishing in Bugasong’s municipal waters, they spotted a man standing on a capsized boat, waving a pole with a plastic attached to it, and shouting for help.
The fishermen quickly went to help Francisco.
According to Mark Lorenz, Francisco was dehydrated, had sunburn and wounds on his feet due to fish bites. They pulled Francisco to their fishing boat and gave him food and water.
They were also able to contact Francisco’s family immediately after the latter gave them a cellphone number.
The fishermen also informed their family in Barangay Madrangca, San Jose of the situation and asked them to call emergency responders.
When they came to shore, Francisco was immediately brought to the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital./PN
