Regions
Fisherman dies as boat capsizes in Batanes

TUGUEGARAO CITY: A fisherman died on Thursday after the boat he was on board with three others capsized while sailing along Dinem Island in Basco, Batanes, the coast guard said. The victim was identified as Eduardo 'Tito' Alueta of Basco town, whose age was not immediately known. He suffered a wound on his head, which was believed to have been hit by the boat's wooden parts or a rock. Three of his companions were safe. Alueta and four others rode the St. Peter and St. Paul boats early at 3 in the morning on Thursday to fish along Dinem Island. Their boat, however, was met later by strong waves at past 7 a.m. in the southwest area of the island. The boat's rear was later damaged and eventually capsized. At about ten in the morning, the Philippine Coast Guard Batanes Provincial Station got a report from other fishers who spotted the accident. They deployed M/B Ocean Spirit who rescued the three other fishermen and retrieved Alueta's body. Alueta's companions were brought to the rural health unit for a checkup while his body was brought to a funeral parlor. Coast Guard provincial officer Cydney Sagario of the Philippine Coast Guard-Batanes Station said no gale warning was issued on Thursday so the fishers went fishing.