Two fishermen were rescued after their small fishing boat capsized in Manapla town, but there is a slim chance that the five others reported missing in Cauayan and Hinigaran towns and in Victorias City, Negros Occidental Saturday and Monday are still alive, Philippine Coast Guard-Bacolod head, Lt. Commander Dominador Senador said.

Rescued were Noel Bendicio, 54, and his son Wellis Bendicio, 27, both of Punta Mesa, Manapla, Senador said.

The Bendicios said a huge wave, which they described as taller than a house, hit and destroyed their fishing boat. The two decided to go fishing despite the bad weather because they do not have other sources of livelihood, they added.

Investigation showed that the Bendicios went fishing after 6 a.m. yesterday but their boat capsized about 2 nautical miles off Anuayan Island, near the southwestern portion of the town's shoreline.

The passengers of motor tanker Nara , manned by Captain Clodualdo Lingcay, saw the two floating and rescued them when they passed by the area at about 8 a.m.

Meanwhile, Senador said the chances of finding Johnny Tupiz, “alias Panoy”, 33 and Roel Tupiz, “alias Bong-Bong”, 32 of Brgy. Ginhulngan, Cauayan, Jack Meniado, 50 of Brgy. Daan, Victorias and the

two unidentified fishermen in Hinigaran alive are slim considering that they have been missing for several days now.

He, however, said they are optimistic that the missing fishermen may have sought refuge in several islands northern part of Negros Occidental and are still alive.

The search and retrieval operation for the missing fishermen resumed Wednesday after it was called off Monday because of the bad weather.

Senador also ordered his men to verify if the decomposing body of an unidentified man found early yesterday morning at the shoreline in Brgy. Punta Salong, Manapla is that of Meniado.

The family of Meniado had already gone to Punta Salong last night to check if the body found was his.

The Tupizes were reported missing Sunday when they failed to come home after they went fishing. Meniado has also been missing since his motorized boat capsized Saturday, while the two unidentified fishermen were seen floating near the coastline of Brgy. Tagda Monday.*APN

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