GenSan fishermen rescued off Suluan island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 30, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Seven fishermen from General Santos City were rescued by fishermen in the vicinity of Suluan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on June 24, 2008.

This was learned from the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council of Region 8 in its update on Typhoon Frank in the afternoon of June 28.

The seven fishermen are now currently confined at the Leyte Provincial Hospital at Pawing, Palo, Leyte, Police Regional Office 8 Director Abner Cabalquinto informed.

It was learned that the fishing boat departed from General Santos heading for Tacloban City on June 9, 2008 with ten fishermen onboard. On June 20, the fishing boat capsized and seven of its crew were rescued by the good hearted fishermen in the vicinity of Suluan Island.

The survivors were brought to the Leyte Provincial Hospital where they were treated and taken cared of.

Three of the ten crew did not survive the accident and are still unaccounted for. Mr. Rommel Sumbilon, one of the survivors said that the three are already dead.

The survivors who are now confined at the Leyte Provincial Hospital are Rommel Sumbilon, Joseph Tambugoy, Daniel Sumbilon, Noel Moreno, Emi Sabalaon, Dondon Serail, and Efren Dehilio. Their companions who are missing are a certain Rene, a certain Junvie and another male crew whom they described to be about 50-55 years old.

There is no idea whether the families of the survivors have been informed about their whereabouts.

Meanwhile, a passenger vessel from Bato, Leyte bound for Cebu City and vice versa capsized at Bato seaport at the height of typhoon Frank. No person was reported injured.