NAVFORSOL directed DF338 to depart Legazpi City pier and proceed to Pandan, Catanduanes on August 13th 2013 to support the ongoing Search and Rescue operations for reported missing fishermen in the waters off Catanduanes after TS LABUYO hit Bicol over the weekend.
More than 70 fisher folks were reported unaccounted for in the past two days, this number was trimmed down to 6 fishermen reported as missing; 3 from Catanduanes and 3 at Camarines norte and the rest were able to return to their places safely. However there were also reports of fishermen drifting from one island to other.
The Office of Civil Defense 5 has already alerted all response agencies and issued red alert status on 09 August 2013 for possible deployment. The agency already coordinated and requested for the availability of the 505th SAR group of the Philippine Air Force and PN Islander from the Philippine Navy to respond to the request of the Local Government of Catanduanes in the conduct of aerial search and rescue over the missing fishermen.
[mappress] Press Release, August 19, 2013; Image: The Philippine Navy