Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on February 23 said it has launched a search and rescue operation for six fishermen who have been missing since February 20 in waters off Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines.
The PCG said the male fishermen departed on board a motorboat on February 20 to fish in waters off the town of Manay but had not returned as of February 23.
In an advisory, the PCG District in Southern Mindanao called on mariners and local fishing communities to help in the search.
All vessels, watercraft, and fisherfolk navigating within or near the vicinity are advised to maintain heightened vigilance and assist in search efforts, the district said, urging them to report any sightings of the missing boat and its crew.
Search units are now combing the last known location of the vessel while coordinating with local administrations and coastal communities to expand the operation./.
Philippines probes cause of deadly ferry sinking in the south
Preliminary findings showed that vehicles on board the ferry at the time of the accident, including trucks and motorcycles, did not pass through weighing stations as required, nor were they weighed in accordance with regulations.
