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BACOLOD CITY: Jubilation for the arrival of the 13 survivors of
Typhoon Frank were marred after authorities announced to awaiting
relatives that seven of the 179 missing fishermen from Negros
Occidental were confirmed dead yesterday.
The seven fatalities were identified as Rey
Barin, Jose Rey Mansueto, Orlando Sevilleno, Dante Oftana, Rhodney
Otto, Roselito Dales and Elmer Sagay. Except for Barin, the six
casualties were crew of the fishing vessel, Sea Quest of Cadiz City.
The Cadiz Rescue Emergency and Action Team said
the bodies of the fishermen are in Burias Island while the 13
survivors were brought back to Cadiz, got treatment and were
declared by medics as out of danger.
Mayor Salvador Escalante of Cadiz who was
appointed chairperson of the Task Force Mananagat created by the
provincial government to continue looking for missing fishermen and
other survivors also went to the towns of Carles and Estancia in
Iloilo province to seek assistance for the continuing search and
rescue operation.
The task force is waiting for the arrival of two
helicopters from the Air Force in Cebu that will also assist in the
search, rescue and retrieval operations.
Officials said they received reports that 22
commercial fishing boats from Cadiz capsized off the coast of
Masbate, Romblon, Capiz and Iloilo.
-- Ma Ester L. Espina
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