NAGA CITY–The Philippine Coast Guard rescued 24 fishermen off the coast of Siruma and Tinambac towns in Camarines Sur when their vessels were battered by rough seas and strong waves on Friday.
Luzena Bermeo, head of Environment, Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office of Camarines Sur, said that one fisherman is still missing as bad weather due to the tail end of the cold front continues to hit the province.
Bermeo identified the missing fisherman as Lito Baruel, 47 of Gata Villaga in Caramoan town.
She said the 24 fishermen who hailed from Catanduanes and Camarines Norte were on board three fishing vessels.
Bermeo said the 14 crew members of one of the fishing vessels, which sank off the coast in Siruma town, are still staying in the house of village councilor Tony Cristobal on Saturday in the village of Pamintan in Camarines Sur.
Meanwhile, at least 8,059 persons or 1,713 families in 22 barangays in the towns of Gainza, Milaor, Minalabac, Libmanan and Sagñay in Camarines Sur are still affected by floods on Saturday.
Floodwaters were brought about by incessant rains which started Thursday due to the tail-end of the cold front.
The state weather bureau has warned that the Bicol region will be experiencing torrential rains. (PNA)