Lost at Sea, Found Alive: Three Cagayan Fishermen Rescued in Ilocos Norte

Calayan, Cagayan – Three fishermen from Cagayan, who were earlier reported missing after their boat failed to return to Camiguin Island from mainland Calayan, were found safe in Barangay Saoit, Burgos, Ilocos Norte on January 28, 2026.

After more than a day of search and rescue operations conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), police personnel, MDRRMO-Calayan, and Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis, the fishermen were eventually located. They were identified as brothers Anthony Duerme, 25, and Francis Duerme, 22, along with their uncle Jay Duerme, 41—all residents of Barangay Balatubat, Calayan.

According to PCTP Jennie Lingan, Officer-in-Charge of the Burgos Municipal Police Station, in an exclusive interview with local media, the three were aboard the double-engine motorized boat DHIN DHIN when it reportedly suffered an engine malfunction while traversing Dalupiri Island on the night of January 27.

“Rabii ti 27, they were traversing Dalupiri Island. Nagkaroon da kanu ti engine trouble, so from there, in-try da pay laeng ti nag-contact kadagiti family da—informing them nga nagkaroon da ti engine trouble. Pero idiay ayan da ngamin ket saan da maka-contact,” she said.

She added that strong sea currents carried the boat toward Ilocos Norte. By dawn, the fishermen followed nearby lights to reach land near Burgos’ national highway, where a local resident later identified them as the missing fishermen and alerted authorities.

“According kanyada, sinursurut da dagidiay silaw kasi alas dos ti parbangon didiayen. Agingana a nakadanun da iti national highway. Adda met ti maysa nga constituent tayo nga nakakita kadakuada ket dinamag ket inistorya da nga isuda dagiti missing fishermen from Cagayan. Immay na met imbaga ditoy police station tayo,” she added.

The fishermen were later able to contact their families and the PCG in Aparri with the assistance of PCG Station Burgos.

Authorities said the seafarers are in stable condition and suffered only mild dehydration. They are currently under the care of local authorities while arrangements are being made for their return to Camiguin Island.