By Villamor C. Visaya Jr. – Philippine Daily Inquirer News Correspondent
TUGUEGARAO CITY—At least eight people were confirmed dead in Cagayan province after Super Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa) battered northern Luzon earlier this week, reports from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local disaster response agencies on Wednesday showed.
The PCG District Northeastern Luzon (CGDNEL) said three more bodies were retrieved at Barangay San Vicente in Sta. Ana town, bringing to seven the number of fatalities from the fishing boat Jobhenz that capsized after it was hit by huge waves and strong winds as Nando crossed the northern portion of Cagayan.
All 13 crew members of the fishing boat, including the captain, have been accounted for. Six survivors are receiving psychosocial support and trauma debriefing from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Lt. Junior Grade Anabel Paet, CGDNEL commander, said the crew members tried to seek shelter at the San Vicente port on Monday but were struck by huge waves triggered by Nando’s storm surge, causing their vessel to capsize.
The fishermen were mostly residents of Quezon province and Camarines Norte, while one of the fatalities was from Barangay Casambalangan in Sta. Ana.
Survivor Ronaldo Roldan said he and several companions hid inside the boat’s engine room for hours without food or water.
“Luckily, we were rescued before we lost hope and died of hunger,” he told rescuers, adding that surviving the ordeal felt like a “miracle.” Boat owner Rommel Juanaya, who was not on board, said his only prayer now was for the victims’ families to find closure. “Never mind the boat—it can be replaced,” he said.#
