3 Pangasinan fishers missing in West Philippine Sea

West Philippine Sea (PNA Photo)

INFANTA, Pangasinan — The Philippine Coast Guard alongside 19 volunteers are now scourging the West Philippine Sea on board a big fishing boat to search for three missing fishermen, whose boat sank last Tuesday morning, after it was hit by big waves about 30 miles from Infanta’s shoreline.

Pangasinan police on Sunday said rescuers led by Philippine Coast Guard Capt. Alvin Pavor left Barangay Cato, Infanta on board FB Prince Japhet on Friday night to conduct the rescue operation.

The three missing crewmen of fishing boat MB Vanze Allen were identified as Roy Mas, Diosdado Gumtang and Ariel Gumtang, all residents of Infanta, Pangasinan.

Carlito Maniago, chief of Cato village in Infanta, said the three fishermen were with two others when they sailed to the West Philippine Sea on Dec. 5.

The two other crewmen of MB Vanze Allen, identified as Felipe Arabis and Alejandro Ali, were rescued and guided safely to the coastline after rescue volunteers spotted them at sea.

Infanta, the last town of Pangasinan before Zambales, is about 120 kilometers southwest of Dagupan City.