Man dies during fishing trip near Capones Island in Zambales

The coastal town of Subic, Zambales, is home to thousands of fishermen who brave the open sea to support their families. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — A fisherman from Subic town died during a fishing trip near Capones Island on Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in this province confirmed.

Commander Euphraim Jayson Diciano, chief of PCG Zambales, reported that BRP Cabra, while conducting routine radio checks in the waters near Bajo De Masinloc and west of Zambales, received the distress call about the incident.

Michael Vasquez, skipper of the fishing vessel F/B EL KAPITAN 2, informed authorities that one of his crew members, Elpidio Lamban, 58, a resident of Barangay Calapacuan, was experiencing difficulty breathing and vomiting blood.

BRP Cabra immediately set course to assist but was later informed by Vasquez that Lamban had stopped breathing. Upon arrival at the vessel’s location, medical personnel on board BRP Cabra confirmed that Lamban had no pulse and was no longer breathing.

Due to rough sea conditions, the PCG reported that it was not possible to transfer Lamban and his relative, who was also part of the fishing crew, to BRP Cabra at the time of the report.