DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues its search-and-rescue operation for a 54-year-old fisherman who went missing while on a fishing venture approximately 42 nautical miles off the waters of Barangay Kinablangan in Baganga, Davao Oriental.
The missing fisherman was identified as Rico Atorniado Padayag, a resident of Barangay Ladol, Alabel, Sarangani. The Coast Guard issued Notice to All Mariners No. 007-2026 on September 12, 2026, alerting vessels, fisherfolk and other maritime stakeholders operating in and around the area to remain vigilant and immediately report any possible sighting.
According to the notice, the Coast Guard Station San Victor received information from Elbert P. Ellazo, boat captain of FBCA CJ & CIO, concerning Padayag’s disappearance.
Padayag reportedly went out to sea aboard a pakura, a small fishing boat, on September 10, 2026, at about 1 p.m. to conduct fishing activities in waters estimated to be 42 nautical miles from the vicinity of Barangay Kinablangan.
The fishing boat was subsequently recovered at around 7 p.m. on September 10, but Padayag was not found aboard the vessel and has remained missing.
The Coast Guard Station Davao Oriental said it has continued coordinating search-and-rescue efforts with local disaster response offices, other government agencies, fishermen and maritime stakeholders in the area.
Authorities are appealing to all vessels and fishing communities operating near the reported location to maintain heightened vigilance, particularly for any person who may be in distress or any information that could help establish Padayag’s whereabouts.
The circumstances surrounding how Padayag became separated from his boat have not been established in the information released by the Coast Guard. The search operation remains ongoing.
The PCG urged anyone who may have seen Padayag or encountered information concerning his possible location to immediately report it to the nearest Coast Guard unit or appropriate local authorities.
The Coast Guard Station Davao Oriental may be reached at 0966-837-0536. Other PCG units in the province may also be contacted:
- CG Sub-Station Mati: 0939-406-0855
- CG Sub-Station Pujada: 0975-788-1452
- CG Sub-Station Baganga: 0912-104-9331
- CG Sub-Station Boston: 0985-145-6757
- CG Sub-Station Governor Generoso: 0966-305-5467
- CG Sub-Station Lupon: 0910-475-6792
- CG Sub-Station Banaybanay: 0909-202-3412
- CG Sub-Station San Isidro: 0964-069-3379
- CG Sub-Station Tarragona: 0935-051-5037
- CG Sub-Station Dahican: 0954-307-0081
- CG Sub-Station Cateel: 0909-522-0840
- CG Sub-Station San Victor: 0951-986-8105
The Coast Guard called on mariners and the fishing community to assist in the widest possible dissemination of the alert as authorities continue efforts to locate Padayag.
As of September 12, the 54-year-old fisherman remains missing.