Body of missing fisherman in sea accident retrieve

CARAMOAN, Camarines Sur --- Police authorities and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have recovered the body of a fisherman who went missing after a motorized banca capsized in the territorial waters off Sitio Lipata, Barangay Gogon, Caramoan, on January 3, 2026.

The victim was identified as Jose Cielo, 57, married, and a resident of Barangay Divino Rostro, San Andres, Catanduanes. He was earlier reported as Jose Almonte in initial police reports and was one of the three fishermen aboard the banca when it capsized.

According to the Caramoan Municipal Police Station (MPS), Cielo’s body was discovered floating at sea near Balogo, Sitio Lipata, Barangay Gogon—around 20 kilometers from the Caramoan shoreline—by a local boat owner. The discovery came after three days of continuous search operations.

The Caramoan MPS organized a joint search, rescue, and retrieval team along with the PCG, Regional Maritime Unit 5, and the Camarines Sur Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) to retrieve Cielo’s body from the sea.

The incident occurred at around 8:15 a.m. on January 3 when a motorized banca carrying Almonte, Dela Cruz, and Cielo were fishing at sea. Junar Dela Cruz survived the incident, while Andy Almonte reportedly drowned after the boat overturned.

Dela Cruz was initially placed under the custody of barangay officials and was later referred by police to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) for immediate medical assistance.

Immediately after the capsizing and before Cielo’s body was retrieved, personnel of the Caramoan MPS coordinated with barangay officials of Barangay Gogon to verify the incident.

Initial investigation revealed that the group went out to sea despite a gale warning issued by the PCG. The vessel reportedly capsized after encountering strong sea currents and heavy waves.

RETRIEVED. Cielo’s body paced inside the black body bag.